College Attainment

Rationale

In today's economy, knowledge is itself a traded commodity. Those with a college degree earn significantly more than those with just a high school diploma. Moreover, data from the Survey of Consumer Finances indicate that, in 1998, families in which the head of household had a college degree had twice the net worth-at the median-as families whose head of household had only some college.

About Measure

Percentage of heads of households with at least four years of college, based on a three-year average (1997-1999).

Source

Calculations by Robert and Jon Haveman based on U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. March current population surveys [Electronic data tape]. (1998, 1999, and 2000).Washington, D.C.: Author.