Why is College Important? 10 Research-Backed Reasons You Can't Ignore

By Robyn Kurdek | Published on February 24, 2026

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You hear it from friends, relatives, teachers, and the media: To succeed in today’s world, you need to go to college. It’s so often repeated that it seems like fact. But is it a fact? Does research support that college is crucial to living a more rewarding and secure life? If you’re wondering why college is important, here are 10 research-backed reasons that are hard to ignore.

Higher earnings

Earning potential is an obvious benefit of a college education. While different degrees and their related career fields may be more lucrative than others, going to college is generally correlated with the ability to command a higher salary.

Having a four-year degree pays off, according to data from the College Board and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). In 2021, median annual earnings for full-time employees age 25 and older with a bachelor’s degree were $69,368. By comparison, those with a high school diploma earned a median $42,068. Median earnings are also higher for associate degree holders. And getting an advanced degree may help boost your income even more. Workers with graduate degrees (master’s, professional, and doctoral degrees) have the highest earnings, BLS data shows.

Lower unemployment rate

College graduates also tend to experience lower rates of unemployment than high school graduates. In 2021, the unemployment rate among grads with a bachelor’s degree was 3.5%, compared to 6.2% for high school graduates. This phenomenon is likely due in part to the diversity of career paths and job opportunities available to individuals who go on to pursue post-secondary education vs. those who don’t. Put another way, having a college degree can help you stand out from other candidates who’ve opted out of higher education, especially in a challenging job market when more applicants are competing for fewer opportunities.

Increased lifetime earnings potential

Not only is going to college important when it comes to boosting your annual income, it may also improve your earnings potential over your entire career. Median career earnings for bachelor’s degree holders were $1.28 million in 2018, more than twice that of someone with a high school education or GED, according to data from The Brookings Institution. Not to mention that gaining college experience as an undergrad also prepares you to pursue an advanced degree program. Research shows that master’s-degree and other graduate-degree-holders earn more than those without these credentials.

Better job opportunities

Don’t underestimate the importance of college as a stepping stone to a well-paying job. While there’s no guarantee that going to college will lead to your dream job, it may improve your ability to get a better one. A college degree may give you a competitive advantage over candidates without one.

“Workers with bachelor’s degrees have dramatically better access to higher-wage occupations,” according to a working paper from the National Bureau of Economic Research. The same report noted that “…70% of new jobs created since the 2008 recession were in occupations that typically require a bachelor’s degree.” And 61% of HR and business leaders admit to throwing out resumes without four-year degrees, even if the candidate is qualified.

More job security

A college degree could help safeguard against long-term unemployment, particularly when unexpected, catastrophic events like the Covid-19 pandemic send shockwaves through the economy. Researchers from the Covid Inequality Project found that college graduates were less likely to lose their jobs due to the pandemic. That’s because workers with college degrees were more likely to have jobs that could be done remotely, or were considered “essential.” By contrast, service workers, many of whom were not college graduates, were out of work for weeks or months as restaurants, hotels, and other public-facing venues closed indefinitely.

A stronger professional network

The college experience gives you an opportunity to develop a network of peers you can tap into when you enter the real world for the first time and beyond. You’ll meet people from all walks of life on a college campus and form lasting relationships that endure long after graduation day. In addition, you may complete internships during college, giving you a chance to develop new skills while connecting with contacts who could be instrumental in helping you advance your career in the future.

Personal growth

A college education offers more than academic benefits. It’s an opportunity for college students to engage in personal development activities and learn interpersonal and “soft” skills that will make them valuable to employers, such as:

• Time management
• Effective organization
• Communication
• Discipline
• Critical thinking skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Teamwork
• Leadership

Access to better job perks

Some jobs that require an associate’s or bachelor’s degree may offer more employee benefits than those that require a high school education. Such benefits may include health insurance, a retirement savings plan, student loan repayment assistance, and life and disability insurance.

Additionally, college graduates may end up saving more for retirement. The Social Security Administration found that college-educated workers were able to set aside 26% more for retirement, even when high-school-educated individuals had similar incomes and access to savings plans. Additionally, many employers will make matching contributions to retirement savings plans for jobs that require a college degree.

A healthier, more active lifestyle

A college education may lead to higher rates of physical activity, promoting healthier lifestyles and potentially reducing healthcare costs, research shows. In 2020, 54% of 25- to 34-year-olds with at least a bachelor’s degree reported exercising vigorously at least once a week.

Going to college may also lead to higher rates of volunteerism and more involved parents, too. Among adults 25 and older, 40% with a bachelor’s degree and 51% with an advanced degree said they volunteered, according to College Board data. In addition, children of parents with higher levels of education are more likely to engage in educational activities with their families.

Greater likelihood of homeownership

You may be more likely to own a home if you’re college-educated. According to an analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data from real estate trend spotter Point2, 70% of homeowners in 2020 had some college education. Forty percent of homeowners had at least a bachelor’s degree. So if you aspire to the American dream of owning a home, going to college or getting an advanced degree may be a smart move.