Personal Finance

Here's How Much Your Degree Will Help You Earn Over A Lifetime

Written by Libby Kane
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college students outside
You could be earning $42,000 for every 'A' you got in college.  Flickr / Tulane Public Relations

With the overwhelming student debt burden in the US, students and parents alike are wondering: Is college really worth it?

Depending on your life stage, go ahead and plug in "med school," "grad school," or "technical school" into that ball of undecided stress.

A new analysis from ebay Deals finds that when it comes to earning potential, yes, college is worth it.

By breaking down lifetime earnings for professionals with different degrees, the analysis was able to pull out how much a graduate earns by degree, by class, and even by grade. 

For instance, over their lifetime, a college grad will earn nearly $600 for every lecture they attended, about $25,000 for every C or D, and about $42,000 for every A or B.

Not every major is equal, however: Engineering and computer science majors will see greater results than students who majored in education or psych.

Want to see how you measure up? Take a look at the infographic below, and see the full methodology at deals.ebay.com.

infographic cash for grades
ebay Deals

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libby kane 2
Libby Kane
Libby Kane was a personal finance expert who has reported and edited stories about money for more than 10 years. She previously held the Certified Financial Education Instructor (CFEI) certification issued by the National Financial Educators Council.Experience She has written and edited articles on everything from investing tips to model budgets and has interviewed dozens of authors, financial planners, and early retirees to share their advice, experiences, and insights with a global audience. Before joining Business Insider in 2014, she was an associate editor at LearnVest, a personal finance site to help women learn about money. Her work has appeared on sites such as MSN, AOL, Forbes, Slate, and The Street.Her team at Business Insider has tackled projects including:• Women of Means, a series about women taking control of their finances• Inside the Racial Wealth Gap, an exploration of the causes, effects, and potential solutions of the racial wealth gap in the US (finalist, Drum Award, "Editorial Campaign of the Year," 2021)• Strings Attached, a series of essays from people who have left insulated communities and how that journey affected their relationship with money• Master Your Money, a year-long guide for millennials on how to take control of their finances  (first runner up, Drum Award, "Best Use of Social Media," 2022)• The Road to Home, a comprehensive guide to buying your first house (silver award winner, National Association of Real Estate Editors, "Best Multi-Platform Package or Series – Real Estate," 2022)Libby believes in one universal truth about money: Advice is never for everyone. The best strategies, tools, and products depend on your preferences, financial situation, history with money, and goals.ExpertiseHer expertise includes:• Behavioral finance• Early retirement• Budgeting• Saving moneyEducationLibby holds a bachelor's degree from Wellesley College.Outside of personal finance, Libby enjoys reading, baking, and walking her dog.