In general, more education means more money, greater employment options and better job security. On average, a college degree is worth an extra $23,000 a year.

Consider the following statistics from the U. S. Department of Labor and Census Bureau:

* College graduates made an average of $51,554 in 2008. Those with advanced degrees made $78,093.
o Adults with a high school diploma made $28,645
o High school dropouts averaged $19,169
* Seventy-five percent of future jobs are likely to want employees with at least a license or certificate.

* Occupations that require a bachelor’s degree are projected to grow the fastest, nearly twice as fast as the national average for all occupations.