Maryland has the highest median income for adults with some college or an associate degree. Sean Pavone/Getty Images The rising costs of higher education are prompting some people to reconsider four-year degrees. Higher educational attainment is associated with higher earnings across all 50 US states. Adults with some college or an associate degree earn the most in Maryland, with a median of $55,301. The cost of higher education across the US continues to rise, and for many Americans, the decision to pursue a four-year degree is as much a financial calculation as an academic one. Some of the benefits of a college education are intangible, such as the development of character, independence, and critical thinking that come from four years of organized instruction. But going to college can also lead to an earnings premium. Across the US, bachelor's degree-holders earn an average of 38.6% more than adults with an associate degree or those who attended some college but did not com...
