High School Graduates include persons 25 years old and over whose highest degree was a high school diploma or its equivalent. People who reported completing the 12th grade but not receiving a diploma are not included. Persons with a Bachelor's Degree or Higher are those 25 years old and over who have received a bachelor's degree from a college or university, or a master's, professional, or doctorate degree.

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The connection between education and income is strong. A high school diploma, technical college certificate, or college degree not only increases one’s skills and productivity, but signals to employers that the individual is motivated and completes tasks. A more educated individual is more likely to participate in the job market, to have a job, to work more hours, and to be paid more, and less likely to be unemployed.[24] But the benefits of education go beyond the economic returns. Higher levels of education also correspond to improved health and lower rates of mortality, and lower rates of crime.[23, 25, 26, 27]