Educational Myths & Facts

MYTH: Most future jobs will require a 4-year college degree.

FACT: Of the 145 million jobs in 2008, only 21% will demand a bachelor degree. Some experts say the number is as low as 15%.

MYTH: Most high-paying jobs will be in technical fields that will require a 4-year degree.

FACT: The largest segment of highly paid, technical workers will find work in occupations that require less than a bachelor's degree.

MYTH: In light of oversupply, baccalaureate degree holders will displace non-degree or associate, technical degree holders in jobs that do not require a bachelor's degree.

FACT: With specialized occupation skills, the technical worker will not be displaced by the college graduate with low skills.

MYTH: Because higher education is highly correlated with future earnings, education guarantees higher income.

FACT: In our current, competitive labor market, wages are a return for occupational and technical skills in demand, not educational level achieved.