College Graduates Hold Four Times the Net Worth of High School Diploma Holders

According to data from the Federal Reserve's Survey of Consumer Finances, households headed by a college graduate have a median net worth that is four times higher than those with only a high school diploma. In 2022, the median net worth for households without a high school diploma was $38,050, while those who attended some college but didn't earn a bachelor's degree had $137,040. Meanwhile, households headed by a college graduate had a median net worth of $464,400.

The education wealth gap is not just about earning a larger salary, but also about what households do with that extra money. College graduates are more likely to own assets like real estate and retirement accounts that tend to appreciate over time. For example, nearly three-quarters of college-educated households owned their primary residence in 2022, compared to 62% of high school graduates.

The disparity is even more pronounced when it comes to investing. About 75% of college-educated households held retirement accounts, compared to fewer than 40% of high school graduates. College graduates were also three times as likely as those with just a high school diploma to own stocks outside retirement accounts, giving them additional opportunities to build wealth as markets rise.