User Guide
About the Tool
Compare Postsecondary Graduate Earnings to High School Graduate Benchmarks by State
The Earnings by Educational Attainment tool is an interactive Tableau workbook designed to explore the financial return on higher education and to support conversations around education investment, workforce readiness, and student decision-making. Users can compare the median earnings of high school graduates to those of postsecondary graduates using a variety of filters.
Intended Audience
This tool serves multiple stakeholders, including:
State Higher Education Officials and Policymakers: Assess the economic benefits of postsecondary education and inform policy and resource allocation decisions.
Institutional Leaders: Communicate the value of degree programs to prospective students and justify investment in academic offerings.
Students and Families: Understand the potential financial advantage of earning a college degree versus entering the workforce with only a high school diploma.
Key Questions the Tool Can Help Answer
- How much more do postsecondary graduates in my state earn compared to high school graduates?
- What is the percentage increase in earnings associated with a bachelor’s degree or other higher education credentials?
- Does the economic return of college vary significantly across states?
- How might this information influence college-going decisions for students or funding strategies or state agencies?
Support
For questions about this tool or assistance using it, please contact the PSEO Project Student Intern Supervisor, at internsupervisor@pseocoalition.org.