{"id":24815,"date":"2025-07-18T18:15:06","date_gmt":"2025-07-18T23:15:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/chicago\/2025\/07\/18\/college-still-pays-off-but-wage-gaps-persist-in-illinois-study-finds\/"},"modified":"2025-07-18T18:15:08","modified_gmt":"2025-07-18T23:15:08","slug":"college-still-pays-off-but-wage-gaps-persist-in-illinois-study-finds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/chicago\/2025\/07\/18\/college-still-pays-off-but-wage-gaps-persist-in-illinois-study-finds\/","title":{"rendered":"College still pays off, but wage gaps persist in Illinois, study finds"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction to College Education and Wage Gaps<\/h1>\n

College yields higher earnings post graduation for all Illinois students, but disparities persist among graduates from low-income families, even if they have the same college degree, as peers from more affluent families.<\/p>\n

Study Findings<\/h2>\n

This is a key finding of a new study. It was done by the Illinois Workforce and Education Research Collaborative. There are also disparities when it comes to Black, Latino, and women workers. State Education Superintendent Tony Sanders said he was not surprised. \u201cIt\u2019s something that is certainly a societal issue,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s something we need to really begin to tackle.\u201d<\/p>\n

Data and Methodology<\/h3>\n

The report uses data from the High School to Careers initiative that tracks students from high school into adulthood. The study includes students who graduated from high school between 2008 to 2012. The state also used that data to create a tool that students can use to explore career paths. Sarah Cashdollar, a researcher with the collaborative, said this report answers the \u201cmillion dollar\u201d questions for Illinoisians. \u201cI think people are increasingly questioning, \u2018is the American dream still achievable?\u2019\u201d she said. \u201cDoes someone born into a low-income family have real opportunity for upward mobility, and if so, is the best route still a college education?\u201d<\/p>\n

Earnings and Education<\/h4>\n

The study found that college graduates tend to earn more on average than those without a degree. About 72% of students from the highest-income families earned a bachelor\u2019s degree or higher degree, compared to 25% from the lowest-income families, according to the study. Students from the highest-income households earn about $15,000 more annually than those from the lowest-income households, and the earnings gap between racial and ethnic groups is even wider \u2014 about $18,300 between Asian and Black graduates.<\/p>\n

Persistence of Disparities<\/h5>\n

These differences persisted even when students from low-income households earned a more advanced degree or worked in a lucrative industry. The study doesn\u2019t attempt to answer why these disparities exist, but other research points to differences in the type of universities students attend, learning opportunities, and social networks and connections, Cashdollar said. Also, there is a lot of research about workplace discrimination, she said.<\/p>\n

State Response and Future Plans<\/h2>\n

Sanders said the state has many programs to help low-income students get into, pay for, and succeed in college. He hopes people continue the conversation around pay disparity. \u201cThe importance of this study is to demonstrate that college remains the most viable option if you want to break generational poverty. College is the path to do that,\u201d he said. Cashdollar said she hopes the study will help young people make decisions about their future. \u201cWe\u2019re not saying that everybody needs to get a four-year degree or even a college degree. It\u2019s not necessarily right for everyone, but whatever they do, it should be informed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n

In conclusion, while college education remains a key factor in achieving higher earnings, disparities among graduates from different socio-economic backgrounds and racial groups persist. It is crucial for policymakers, educators, and the community to address these disparities and ensure equal opportunities for all students to succeed.<\/p>\n

FAQs<\/h2>\n