Amount of Money Made by College Graduates

Amount of Money Made by College Graduates Amount of Money Made by College Graduates It's clear that on average, the money for college is worthwhile because college graduates make a lot more than non-graduates. However, what about the salary disparities among graduates in different industries and occupations? A graduate's starting salary depends on a variety of factors. Related Articles How Much More Money Do College Grads Make? How Much More Money Do College Grads Make? Amount of Spending Money a College Student Needs Amount of Spending Money a College Student Needs Car Dealers With Programs for Recent Graduates Car Dealers With Programs for Recent Graduates Degree Do you have an associate's degree, a bachelor's, an MBA, or a Ph.D.? In general, the more education you have (and the more tuition you paid), the more you'll earn. School If you went to Harvard Law, you can likely demand a much greater starting salary than if you attended a law school with very little name recognition. Harvard's program is famous for preparing its graduates well, and employers are willing to pay commensurately with its good reputation. You may have learned many of the same things at any other school, but you won't necessarily be offered the same salary because of it. The location of your school can also impact how much you get paid after you graduate. Industry The industry in which you work plays a huge role in how much money you make. As of April 2010, for example, the job-search tool Simply Hired reported that the average annual starting salary for a secretary is $33,000, while the average starting salary for an information-technology specialist is twice that, at $66,000. Both have college degrees and spent similar amounts of time on their educations, but their chosen fields of study greatly impact their pay. Jobs in the sciences generally pay best, while jobs in arts-related industries may pay the worst. Job Even within an industry, the amount of money made by college graduates can vary quite a bit. A graduate who doesn't have any internship or on-the-job experience may be hired as an assistant for just over minimum wage, while a graduate with an internship under his or her belt and some negotiating power could land a more prestigious position and be paid considerably more. Two graduates with the same job title or the same position may also be paid different amounts depending on where they work.