The clearest example is when a person with a degree earns much more money over their lifetime than someone without one, enough to more than repay the tuition and time they invested.

Why this example works

  • Many bachelor’s degree holders qualify for jobs that are closed to people with only a high school diploma, especially in fields like healthcare, engineering, and business.
  • Those jobs tend to pay higher starting salaries and offer better chances for promotions, so income grows faster over time.
  • One analysis found that adults with a bachelor’s degree earn, on average, about 1.2 million dollars more over their lifetime than those with only a high school diploma, which can far exceed the cost of tuition and fees.

So, an example like this shows why an expensive degree can be worth it: a graduate who pays a lot for college but then gains access to higher-paying jobs and earns significantly more over their career than they would have without the degree.