Earning a high school diploma is essential as it paves the way toward a successful career, life and future. However, despite this the number of student dropouts continues to grow. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, “In 2022, there were 2.1 million status dropouts between the ages of 16 and 24,” (Preprimary, Elementary, and Secondary Education Status Dropout Rates 2024). In California alone there are more than 570,000 individuals between the ages of 16-24 that are currently not in school or working, (Malk and Sainz, 2023).
Due to life’s hectic pace day-to-day, one might begin to wonder if going back to school to earn their diploma is even worth it. The answer is, absolutely. Those who do not receive a diploma often face detrimental consequences such as poverty, unemployment and even health issues. By saying yes to a diploma, you are saying yes to a world full of opportunities.
Those without a high school diploma have difficulty securing a steady job as a diploma is often considered a fundamental requirement for most hiring agencies. Studies show that individuals without a diploma have a higher unemployment rate than those that do. By having a high school diploma, you will also earn more money over the years. The same study published by Princeton University shows that those who earn a high school diploma are said to make an estimated lifetime earning of $260,000 more than those who do not (Tyler and Lofstrom, 2009).
According to data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Population Survey (CPS) individuals over the age of 25 who did not complete high school had the highest unemployment rate of 5.6% while those who did had a much lower unemployment rate. Those who earn their high school diploma also made a weekly median earning of nearly $200 per week more than those that do not have their high school diploma (Education pays, 2023 2024). That adds up to about $10,000 per year. Another data set from New Ways to Work revealed that, “approximately four in ten youth who were neither in school nor at work lived in poverty,” (Malka and Sainz, 2023).
Those who have earned their high school diploma open the door for endless opportunities in their future. Individuals have an increased ability to continue their education and enroll in college with the proper literacy and numeracy skills needed to be successful. In certain high school programs, they will have had exposure to various career paths, financial literacy, and other learning aspects to help better understand their career opportunities.
Most importantly, by choosing to earn a diploma individuals are choosing to better themselves and their families.
Studies have shown that individuals who do not graduate high school are also more prone to have poor overall health and report having “at least 1 chronic health condition — for example, asthma, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, hepatitis, or stomach ulcers — than graduates.” (Muennig, Robertson, Johnson, Campbell, Pungello,Neidell, 2011 as cited in Early Childhood Development and Education n.d).
Based on these findings, it is clear that a diploma truly holds value. Graduating high school increases one's chances to enroll in college, begin a career, earn higher wages and can help with overall mental health. It can also serve as a positive example for family members as it can encourage others to earn their diploma as well. Most importantly, receiving a high school diploma provides a sense of accomplishment as it is a representation of hard work and determination that has paid off.
---
