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Examining recent Census data further supports the assertion that completion of a higher education program provides otherwise unavailable economic opportunities to families and individuals:

• 70% of college-educated US families earned over $50,000 in 1996, and 27% earned at least $100,000;
  
  
• Meanwhile, 35% of families with no more than a high school education (or a GED) earned $50,000, and merely 5% earned over $100,000;
   
• Taking some college courses, or earning an associate degree each increase family earnings progressively towards college-educated levels.

(Source: USCB, Money Income in the US: 1996)