Beyond these advantages, research also shows that a college or graduate degree typically leads to a happier, healthier, and longer life.4 One explanation for the greater advantage in recent decades conferred by higher education is that it reflects an increase in the demand for educated workers compared  2  For more on median household income adjusted for inflation and the poverty rate, see Posey (2016) and Bishaw and Glassman (2016).
3 See, for example, Kahn (2010); Oreopoulos, Von Wachter, and Heisz (2012); and Altonji, Kahn, and Speer (2016). 4 For recent estimates of the college earnings premium over time, see Pew Research (2014) and Council of Economic Advisers (2016). For a discussion of some nonpecuniary benefits of completing college, see Oreopoulos and Salvanes (2011). -3with others.