For young American men with at least a bachelor’s degree, median earnings were significantly lower in 2011 than in 1971, if inflation is taken into account. Moreover, the real average earnings of college graduates ages 25 to 34 with just a bachelor’s degree have declined about 15% since 2000, says Nancy Folbre of the University of Massachusetts. Nevertheless, a college education still gives young adults an earnings boost that is more than enough to justify its cost, Folbre says.
Marvin E. Smith 