Massachusetts public college and university graduates earn substantially more than 
File photo
Associate degree holders from Massachusetts community colleges earn approximately $20,000 more annually than high school graduates five years after graduation, while bachelor's degree recipients from state universities and UMass campuses earn roughly $30,000 more, the department reported in November.
The analysis, which tracked graduates from 2014 to 2018, found median earnings of $61,550 for associate degree completers and $72,519 for bachelor's degree holders five years after graduation. By comparison, the typical Massachusetts high school graduate aged 18-25 earns around $41,000 annually.
"We believe it is our responsibility, in collaboration with other leaders, to support students with available information as they make decisions," said Commissioner Noe Ortega in the report's commentary.
The data reveals significant variations based on field of study. Health sciences, STEM fields, and trades programs showed the highest earnings, with some associate degree holders in health majors out-earning bachelor's degree recipients in arts and humanities.
Massachusetts Maritime Academy graduates reported the highest median earnings overall—more than $15,000 above the next-highest institution five years out. UMass campuses generally showed stronger earnings outcomes than other state universities, though officials noted these differences may reflect varying program offerings and student populations.
The report found that completing a degree matters significantly. Degree completers earned substantially more than students who stopped out before finishing, particularly at the bachelor's level where UMass graduates earned 35% more than non-completers.
However, nearly half of students who start postsecondary education fail to complete a degree, the data showed.
The analysis also revealed encouraging trends for economic mobility across socioeconomic and racial lines. Earnings gaps between low-income and higher-income students largely disappeared among degree completers in the same fields. Racial and ethnic earnings gaps among associate degree holders were roughly half the size of gaps among high school graduates.
Gender disparities persisted, however. Female bachelor's degree recipients earned 10-20% less than male counterparts, with the gap exceeding 20% in STEM fields where women remain significantly underrepresented.
The department acknowledged limitations in its data, which excludes self-employed individuals, military personnel, federal workers, and those employed out of state. The analysis focuses on full-time workers based on a minimum wage threshold and examines earnings five years after graduation.
The department plans to expand its analysis to include certificates, master's degrees, and doctoral programs, and to explore whether work-based learning experiences like internships and apprenticeships boost earning potential.
