The Median Net Worth Of People Who Have A College Degree

In 2022, the Federal Reserve's Survey of Consumer Finances found that households headed by a college graduate had a median net worth of $464,600. Households headed by someone with only a high school diploma had $106,800, and those headed by someone without a diploma had $38,000. On average, that means college-graduate households hold about four times the wealth of high-school-graduate households and more than 12 times the wealth of non-graduate households. However, this might not be the case for every graduate because some college degrees are more likely to pay off, while there are others that are least likely to pay off financially.

There is also a similar pattern in income. An April 2025 Federal Reserve Bank of New York report shows the median bachelor's-degree earner brings in about $80,000 per year, compared with $47,000 for high school graduates. Meanwhile, the Association of Public & Land‑Grant Universities, breaking down the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics 2025 report, show that bachelor's degree holders earn $40,500 — or 86% — more per year than those with only a high school diploma. This gap makes it clear; earning a degree still offers a stronger path to growing real wealth, than doing life without diplomas. Still, there are high paying jobs you don't need a college degree to work. Higher earnings directly contribute to greater saving and net worth over time.

The National Center for Education Statistics reports that in 2022, full-time workers aged 25 to 34 with a bachelor's degree earned a median $66,600 — about 67% more than the $40,000 earned by their peers who only have a high school diploma. Earning more early on lets college graduates save more and pay off debt faster, giving them a clear financial lead before middle age. Between ages 35 and 54, the gap in net worth tied to a degree is at its largest. 

Asides income, college graduates save more for retirement via their workplace using programs such as the SEP IRA, and can build home equity faster. This brings up to the discussion that a high net worth goes beyond having a college degree. A college degree can open doors, but it doesn't guarantee lasting wealth. High-net-worth individuals boost their savings by using a mix of income sources — starting a business, owning rental property, investing in the stock market, and running side projects — rather than relying only on a salary.

Even with a degree, you need to manage risk and stick to a clear financial plan to turn any form of education into lasting wealth. Also, having the right insurance — such as life, health, disability, and even extra liability coverage — keeps new assets safe from unexpected events. Yet LIMRA's 2024 Life Insurance Fact Sheet shows only 51% of U.S. adults have an individual life policy, down from 63% in 2011, leaving many families open to financial setbacks if illness or death occurs. 

At the same time, the 2024 Insurance Barometer Study, via Life Happens, finds that four in 10 middle-income Americans admit they need more life insurance, which means they may have to sell investments or take on debt, thereby reducing their net worth over time. Then again, a college degree isn't the only route to wealth. Ralph Lauren, who left high school early, built a luxury fashion empire now worth over $10 billion by combining creative vision, strong brand development, and smart money management. His story shows that having an entrepreneurial spirit, taking calculated risks, and preparing for unexpected setbacks are just as important as formal education. With these, anyone, degree or not, can build a substantial net worth.