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May 15, 2026 / 4:55 PM EDT
/ CBS News
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As college costs climb and skepticism about higher education grows, many Americans are asking whether a bachelor's degree is still worth the price.A new analysis of Texas public college students shows graduates generally earn far more than non-degree holders, even in liberal arts.The analysis, by the Postsecondary Commission, a nonprofit education group, tracked about 29,000 students who enrolled in bachelor's degree programs in the 2008-09 academic year. Researchers then tracked the graduates' "cumulative net value-added earnings" over the next 15 years. That metric compares grads' total earnings over a period of time with those of workers without bachelor's degrees, while also subtracting educational expenses such as tuition, room and board and income lost while attending college.On average, college graduates outearned high school graduates by almost $87,000 over that 15-year period, even after accounting for college costs. Engineering and architecture majors enjoyed the highest returns. But even liberal arts majors, whose degrees can translate into lower earnings, outperformed their peers without bachelor's degrees by about $35,000, the study found."Those pursuing a bachelor's degree — regardless of field of study — are likely making a wise investment," Michael Itzkowitz, president of higher education consulting firm HEA Group, told CBS News of the findings. "That's a financial gain that will likely grow even more over time, as these learners and earners progress throughout their careers."
