Whether you were one of those individuals who enjoyed school or hated it, there is no denying in this day in age that getting an education pays for itself in the long run. Year after year, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) releases information in support of earning an education. Not only does it increase an individual’s earning potential during their career, it helps keep them employed in the first place. In 2010 that trend continued as the BLS noted the following figures by educational level:

Median Weekly Earnings in 2010

• Doctoral degree holders: $1,550
• Professional degree holders: $1,610
• Master’s degree holders: $1,272
• Bachelor’s degree holders: $1,038
• Associate degree holders: $767
• Some college with no degree: $712
• High school diploma: $626
• Less than high school diploma: $444

During the same year the U.S. BLS noted that these same groups of individuals experienced the following unemployment rates:

• Doctoral: 1.9%
• Professional: 2.4%
• Master’s: 4.0%
• Bachelor’s: 5.4%
• Associate: 7.0%
• Some college: 9.2%
• High school diploma: 10.3%
• Less than high school diploma: 14.9%

Those figures alone should be enough to prove that getting an education is the best way to provide financial security throughout your life, and make yourself more attractive to potential employers. The national unemployment rate in 2010 was 8.2%, and as the data shows, the average individual who completed at least an Associate degree saw unemployment rates below the national average. On the other hand, those who never finished college or never tried saw average unemployment rates above the national average. For those who dropped out of high school, the unemployment rate was nearly double the national average.

There are many reasons that individuals choose not to go to college, and at some point in time they have what they believe is an airtight reason for not going. Common excuses for leaving school or never attending college include:

• Lack of interest
• Poor grades
• Lack of opportunities
• Family responsibilities at a young age
• Lack of financial support

While these may be valid excuses for not attending school, many of them can be overturned. Our highly advanced technological society is making an education easier and easier to get. The options for education are becoming limitless as new technology and new innovations allow for new settings for education. It is worth noting, not everyone is expected by society to become a Doctoral degree holder, but it is in everyone’s interest to earn some sort of education to make yourself employable. The following are examples of advanced educations available beyond high school:

• Vocational/Technical/Career schools
• Community Colleges
• Federal Service Academies
• Traditional four year colleges and universities
• Graduate schools

For many individuals who believe that a higher education is beyond them, professional school that teaches a career specific ability is a great way to increase their attractiveness to employers and provide some financial stability. In the U.S. this type of school is often referred to as a vocational, technical, or career school. Here students are offered training for a specific skill set required in a specific career field. Many consider this to be less of an education and more of a purely training setting.

Community colleges are a great option for those with some, but limited financial ability. In just two years individuals can complete an Associate’s degree program and make themselves eligible for a large number of jobs that provide financial support to them and their families. As their career progresses and their finances improve, community college credits are transferrable in many cases to traditional colleges and universities.

An option that many people overlook is the education offered by America’s Federal Service Academies. These schools are operated by the U.S. government and an education at them is funded by the federal government, but that comes with an obvious catch. Graduates receive a free education in exchange for active duty military service upon graduation. There are five Federal Service Academies in the U.S. and they include:

• United States Air Force Academy (Colorado Springs, Colorado)
• United States Coast Guard Academy (New London, Connecticut)
• United States Merchant Marine Academy (Kings Point, New York)
• United States Military Academy (West Point, New York)
• United States Naval Academy (Annapolis, Maryland)
• Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (Bethesda, Maryland)

The most popular route for millions of Americans is to attend a traditional four year college or university for their higher education. Here individuals receive a broad liberal arts education in addition to a specialized education, and graduate with a Bachelor’s degree upon completion. Many traditional schools house graduate schools within them that offer Master’s and Doctoral degrees. In other cases however, these higher degrees can be earned at independent graduate schools.

For more information about other education options, such as distance learning and online universities, turn to ieducation.com. Here you can apply for and learn about online courses, distance education, and even grants to pay for school!