For many, the path to earning a college degree is paved with good intentions. We all want to pursue our passions, make a good living, and be successful in our chosen career. But sometimes, life gets in the way. Whether it's work, family obligations, or financial challenges, these common obstacles might make the pursuit of a college degree seem unrealistic or even unviable. Sadly, that’s often the reason why so many adults forgo higher education. It seems just too out of reach.
However, if you look at the statistics, some of which we’ll highlight here, you’ll see there are actually more reasons to support one’s pursuit of a college degree instead of putting it on the back burner—or off the stove top entirely. Truth is, these facts and figures show there’s never been a better time to return to college, gain professional expertise, and set yourself up for career success in today’s in-demand job market.
So, let’s start. Here are five statistics that’ll give your quest for a college degree a much-needed resuscitation.
1. Almost two million Massachusetts residents over the age of 25 don’t have a college degree.
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The population of Massachusetts residents totals around 6.3 million. From that sum, more than 4.2 million are age 25 and older. When you crunch the numbers, you’ll drill down on a surprising figure: nearly 47% of that age group lack a college degree. That’s almost two million Massachusetts residents who don’t have the crucial career training and skill set development typically offered through a two-year or four-year college program.
What does all this mean? The implication is simple. If you’re among the 47% of Massachusetts residents without a college degree, then earning one automatically puts you at a professional advantage over half the adults living in-state. It also means there's a huge opportunity to explore available degree programs that offer essential career training that’ll propel your professional success even further.
2. 52% of employed Massachusetts residents lack a high school diploma.
(source)
Now, in comparison:
- 70% of employed residents have a high school diploma.
- 77% of employed residents have some college experience.
- 85% of employed residents have a bachelor’s degree.
Do you see the pattern here? Education has a clear, direct impact on employability. As you climb the educational ladder, your chances of finding and keeping a job increase exponentially. For Massachusetts adults, even having some college experience boosts employment opportunity. Hence, earning your college degree can most certainly improve your job prospects and provide additional security for the future.
3. About 700,000 Massachusetts residents have earned some college credits, but no degree.
(source)
If you’re one of the many people who have started down the path toward a college degree but never made it past the finish line, you’re not alone. This statistic shows just how common it is for students to get partway through a degree program only to drop out due to a certain life event, financial insecurity, insufficient childcare, or lack of reliable transportation. However, don’t let hiccups like these prevent you from picking right back up where you left off. You can apply credits you’ve already earned from an accredited, degree-granting institution and put them toward a degree or certificate program at another Massachusetts school, like Quincy College.
4. Nationally, employees with an associate’s degree earn 18% more than those with a high school diploma only.
(source)
A college degree can boost earning potential significantly. For Massachusetts adults looking to land a better-paying job with opportunity for career advancement, then earning an associate’s degree is a sure-fire way to get there. Plus, with an associate's degree under your belt, you instantly position yourself for an 18% jump in earnings. That kind of pay raise can make a huge difference for your financial stability and long-term success.
5. Compared to 50% of White Massachusetts residents who have earned a bachelor’s degree, only 33% of Black residents and 23% of Hispanic residents have earned one, too.
(source)
In Massachusetts, nearly 75% of available jobs offering family-sustaining wages require candidates to have at least a bachelor’s degree on their resume. Therefore, according to the stat listed above, more than two-thirds of Black and Hispanic residents won’t even have the opportunity to be considered for these kinds of roles.
Educational disparities have a lasting impact on both career and economic stability, particularly for Black and Hispanic residents. Therefore, by closing this educational gap and increasing the number of earned bachelor’s degrees among Black and Hispanic residents, the pathway to professional success becomes that much more accessible.
The Quincy College Solution: Free College
So, if you’ve got big dreams of earning your college degree but have no clue where to start, Quincy College is here to help—in more ways than one.
Thanks to our Free College program, Massachusetts residents age 25 and older have the amazing opportunity to earn an associate’s degree from Quincy College and gain highly specialized career training for today’s most in-demand job market. The best part? It’s all for free.
Whether you’ve only got a handful of college credits to your name, or you’ve yet to step foot on a college campus, Free College makes it possible to gain the skills necessary for career advancement and increased earning potential, minus the financial burden of high-cost tuition. Plus, Quincy College offers students the critical flexibility to balance life’s responsibilities with their academic pursuits, making the dream of a college degree not only obtainable, but more affordable as well.
Ready to Get Started? Let Us Help You Take the Next Step
Quincy College is dedicated to making higher education accessible to all. If you’re ready to return to school, earn your degree, and open doors to better career opportunities, we’re here to help.
Fore more information about our Free College program, including eligibility requirements and application guidelines, contact our Admissions team to get started.
Don’t wait—your future is within reach!