Five out of the 10 happiest states in the nation are also in the top 10 for educational attainment. It was also the first college to grant a bachelor’s degree to an African-American woman in 1862. SOURCE: tuition.io (March 11, 2013) Such a view of happiness – where there were higher and lower pleasures – retained its significance and was to gain great currency in the nineteenth century. Grads who are struggling to find work might not agree, but research shows that in the long term, a college degree offers the potential for lifelong bliss, and a growing economic recovery is poised to support that. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other information published on this site. Statistics from the Pew Research Center and the University of Virginia show correlations between happiness and a college education. Chen says that students should pursue credentials in fields that will be in demand, like accounting and energy. Start the Survey . As it turns out, quite a bit. Despite both the difficulty of pursuing a college degree and the correlations that exist between a degree and happiness, Merkle said education helps unlock human potential. “Any time you can improve the quality of your life you are going to be happier and more content, which then often translates into better relationships and having fun which translates into being happier.”. Bart Merkle, dean of students at Grand Valley State University, said much can be gained from a college education, specifically personal and professional growth and tools that can “open doors.”, “I think having an education improves the quality of your life,” Merkle said. With still more recovering to do, that means the best is yet to come, and the timing couldn’t be better for college grads of the near future, who will graduate in an increasingly positive economic environment. [17] There are sixty women colleges in the United States in twenty-four states. Hours. Is a college degree the ticket to health, wealth, and happiness? It is the door to opportunities and experiences that enable people to be civically engaged in a broader community.”. Copyright © 2020 CollegeStats. A scientific review concludes that happiness can influence physical health, and may have heart-health, immune-system and cellular benefits. You control about half your happiness level. SEE ALSO: Dear Peter Thiel: Let’s Fix College, the Right Way. Economic crisis in the eurozone, a slowdown in China, and debt problems plaguing the U.S. and Japan have taken their toll on the world economy, but IMF chief economist Olivier Blanchard believes we’ll be in good shape in 2018 or shortly thereafter. Image #2: – Title: “Accepting a graduate degree from President Braveman.” by Nazareth College is licensed under CC BY 2.0Image #3: – Title: “Look up” by Mateus Lunardi Dutra is licensed under CC BY 2.0. Health, happiness, and a positive economic outlook mean that the future is bright for today’s college students. A few years back Richard Easterlin, an early economist in the econometrics of "happiness" published a surprising study. Many other studies have found correlations between money and happiness, but not happiness and a college degree. What strikes me about these guidelines to success and happiness in college is the importance of two things: attending to academic details and especially becoming well connected with faculty (in- and outside the classroom), socially, and through volunteer work. They also have better working conditions, resources, and income that allow them to experience better health, including less exposure to hazards, availability of insurance and sick leave, and better housing, nutrition, and stress outlets. “Students need to study things that will get them a job after they graduate,” says Chen. Bryan Cohen, author of The Post-College Guide to Happiness, thinks there’s a connection. Although the exact level will vary from individual to … People with college degrees earn more on average. The American economy is in recovery, but with an unemployment rate still in the neighborhood of 8%, we’re far from out of the woods. But even some college or a technical degree correlates with religious attendance: 46.1% of individuals with this level of education attend on a regular basis. 15 with nearly 30% of its population backed by four-year degrees. Higher education gives people the opportunity to explore their passions, be they writing, engineering, or even magic, Cohen explains. Is it a coincidence? There’s even a significant difference between whites with “some college” and an actual degree: 14.7%. When asked to rate measures of their well-being on a scale of zero to 10 (where zero means “not at all” and 10 means “completely”), graduates gave a mean score of 7.7 for life satisfaction and 8.0 for feelings of worthwhileness, … The Congressional Budget Office‘s economic outlook is especially bright for the next four years. The Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement asserts that not only do higher levels of education translate into more civic engagement, civic engagement also promotes educational attainment. In fact, some mental health experts believe that it's on the rise. Marriage has not been proven to make individuals happier, but it does contribute to stability, offering a long-lasting “protection” against unhappiness. He explains that the economy will always have its ups and downs, citing rapidly changing technology as the major area of concern for students. The report shows that at 40, college-educated white women are more likely to be married than any other group because of dropping divorce rates for college educated women. “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take – Wayne Gretzky – Michael Scott” – The Campus Activities Board, ‘Tis the Season to Disappoint my Mother: Sharing holidays with your significant other, 2020 election shows unprecedented voter turnout in Michigan, Gov. It found, amongst other things, that a much higher number of folks between the ages of 24-65 (31%) with a high school diploma or less are smokers, as … Promised years of higher earnings and yes, happiness, many aren’t finding that reality. According to the Department of Numbers, unemployment among those with a bachelor’s degree was 4.1 percent in December, compared to 7.7 percent for those with an associate’s degree or some college, 8.7 percent for those with a high school degree and no college and 13.8 percent for high school dropouts. And that’s exactly why today’s students should be excited about what the future has to offer. Find a Therapist. 5 Scientific Studies that Prove the Power of Positive Thinking Published on March 22, 2016 March 22, 2016 • 192 Likes • 17 Comments College undergraduates living in each location answered questionnaires measuring their psychological and physical well-being, their motivation to pursue happiness, and the extent to which they viewed happiness in social terms—meaning that for them happiness was linked to social engagement and helping others. The stability of a college degree can also play a role in determining happiness. Their long list of free services includes career profiles, career videos, salary data, college profiles, information on majors and degrees, financial aid advice, and career assessment tests. “The need for more education and skills to do work in this more technologically advanced economy that we live in has never been more prevalent than it is today. And the nation’s happiest state, Hawaii, isn’t struggling with educational attainment, either, ranked at No. In addition to stronger marriages and better health, college graduates are more connected to their communities, with higher weekly church attendance and an increased likelihood of civic engagement. However, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. median income goes up steadily with the attainment of a college education. From stronger marriages to longer lives, college graduates enjoy an overall higher quality of life. Life’s Better With a College Degree Five out of the 10 happiest states in the nation are also in the top 10 for educational attainment. And people who attend worship services regularly are happier than those who don’t. The Secret to College Happiness. Reports indicate that young college graduates are struggling to fulfill their dreams, find jobs, and achieve financial independence. This is the most recent study to find a link between happiness and classroom performance, but it’s far from the only. College graduates have good reason to be happy. “Good economic times always lead to those with capital taking a chance,” he says. According to the Department of Numbers, unemployment among those with a bachelor’s degree was 4.1 percent in December, compared to 7.7 percent for those with an associate’s degree or some college, 8.7 percent for those with a high school degree and no college and 13.8 percent for high school dropouts. Eric Chen, associate professor of business administration at the University of Saint Joseph, recommends that students position themselves correctly to take advantage of the developing economic recovery. 1-800-2REVIEW (800-273-8439) 1-877-LEARN-30. “People who don’t pursue a college education are at a competitive disadvantage to find opportunities they can plug into to make a living,” Merkle said. According to the Council on Contemporary Families report, college-educated women are not only more likely to marry and stay married, they’re also more likely to report happiness in their marriage than any other group of women. Although many concur that education is a valuable tool in life, and correlations appear to exist between happiness and a higher education, many people cannot afford to attend college. A young college graduate, Rachelle Hampton, writing in Slate about the popular Yale course on happiness, recently spoke openly about her depression and the depression of other college students. Psychology professor Lawrence Burns said there are often multiple variables involved when looking at statistics and the purported correlations between them. The emphasis on small classes and on writing are also clear cornerstones of success. It seems that succeeding in school might not be a “happiness habit.” Consider that in a study of kids from high-performing California high schools, 70 percent of the students “often or always feel stressed by their school work, and 56 percent reported often or always worrying about such things as grades, tests, and college acceptance.” A Pew report also indicates that married adults with a college diploma are less likely to divorce than those without a degree. That’s not a surprise to anyone. Happiness research is “a useful antidote to the tendency of economists to focus exclusively on material determinants of social welfare,” as … They are also among the top 10 states that boast the highest percentages of population with a bachelor’s degree or higher. Many never-marrieds enjoy their independence. All rights reserved. According to data from the commission’s report, college graduates can expect to live at least five years longer than those who haven’t finished high school, especially men, who see a difference of 6.8 years between college grads and high school dropouts. “(Education) helps people to understand that they are capable to do the things they want to do and that is freeing,” he said. Colorado, Minnesota, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts all took top marks in the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index. But the positive connection for college grads isn’t all about career and money, at least not directly. The U.S. median income in 2010 for high school graduates was $626 a week, compared to $1,038 for those with a bachelor’s degree. If you want a picture to show with your comment, go get a gravatar. What has your diploma done for you lately? You may not tune in to Dr. Oz this week to find out that college textbooks are the next great superfood, but research shows a college degree would be worthy of such hype, offering graduates the opportunity to experience a longer, healthier life. Over the course of a lifetime, the average worker with a bachelor’s degree will earn approximately $1 million more than a worker without a postsecondary education. Not for all. The study, It’s Not Just the Money, authored by Professor Phillip Trostel, finds that college graduates report having “good” or “very good” health 44 percent more than their non-graduate peers do. The commission’s report spells out the connection between education and health through three major pathways: health knowledge and behaviors, employment and income, and social and psychological factors. At any given time, thousands upon thousands of college and university students feel so sad, anxious, lonely, isolated, or overwhelmed that … The CNBC/SurveyMonkey Workplace Happiness Index is an optimistic 71 out of 100, while the survey found 85 percent of respondents are either somewhat or very satisfied with their jobs. Better pay, better marriages, better health and communities. Does a degree automatically make you happy? Partnerships. College graduates benefit from and contribute to their communities. The study was done by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Health Statistics. Others are in happy, stable lifelong relationships but have no desire to wed. LIFESPAN Giving help to others protects overall health twice as much as aspirin protects against heart disease. Are you a current college student? Finally, those with a college degree have a higher sense of control, social standing, and support that can positively influence stress, health resources, and health related behaviors. A report from the Commission on Health indicates that those with more education are likely to live longer, experience better health outcomes, and practice healthy behaviors like exercise, avoiding smoking, and getting regular checkups. Further, college graduates are nearly four times less likely than high school graduates to smoke, and are significantly more likely to exercise, wear a seat belt, maintain a healthy weight and regularly see a … A survey from the Association of Religious Data Archives shows that college grads are the educational group that’s most likely to regularly attend weekly worship services: 46.3% of graduates attend, well over the average of 41.9%. Tell us about life at your school. Political consultant Steve Parkhurst translates the recovery into terms students can appreciate: jobs and possibilities. Here the efforts of John Stuart Mill were particularly noteworthy. The statistics are out there. College Experiences Are Key to Graduates' Happiness A new report says college experiences matter more than where you went. And frequent religious attendance is associated with higher GPAs, as adolescents who attend weekly have an average 2.9 GPA, over 2.6 for students who never attend. These activities are also linked to higher levels of educational attainment, creating a circular pattern in education and community involvement. We want to hear what you have to say! Accepting a graduate degree from President Braveman. Fast Facts: IES NCES National Center for Education Statistics On average, a college … The International Monetary Fund, or IMF, also points to 2018 as the potential turning point for world economic recovery. Local Offices: Mon-Fri 9AM-6PM. Cohen says that the economy isn’t really the biggest concern for today’s college graduates, though. If you want to know the science of happiness and how to be more happy, this infographic does a great job of breaking it down for you. The 100 Happiest Colleges. Get the help you need from a therapist near you–a FREE service from Psychology Today. According to averages calculated by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), people with a bachelor’s degree earn around 64% more per week than individuals with a high school diploma, and around 40% more than those with an associate’s degree. But if research and predictions for the future are any indication, college graduates are equipped with the potential to be among the happiest people in the world, and they can expect to remain so for the foreseeable future. I believe education is fundamental. That’s why, Cohen says, “educational attainment can lead to some serious happiness.”. College graduates with a bachelor’s degree typically earn 66 percent more than those with only a high school diploma; and are also far less likely to face unemployment. Sat-Sun 9AM-8PM ET. The first to adopt innovations, like self-publishers, app developers, and crowdfunding gurus, have “made a killing,” and Cohen recommends that students keep their eyes peeled for new opportunities like these. Yes, really. CollegeStats.org is an advertising-supported site. Along with Dacher Keltner, PhD, she co-teaches GG101x: The Science of Happiness, a free eight-week massive open online course on the edX.org platform that offers science-based practices for a meaningful, happy life. HAPPINESS A 2010 Harvard Business School survey of happiness in 136 countries found that people who are altruistic—in this case, people who were generous financially, such as with charitable donations—were happiest overall. As decision time looms for high school seniors, The Daily Beast ranks America’s colleges using the criterion—besides academics—that students … And there’s more: economic conditions are poised to offer grads yet another reason to have a positive outlook on life. The underlying source of the happiness scores in the World Happiness Report is the Gallup World Poll—a set of nationally representative surveys undertaken in more than 160 countries in over 140 languages. “That is an erosion of the philosophy of education being a public good.”. He said one may be jumping to conclusions by stating that receiving a college education will make a person happy because factors can contribute to happiness, including personality type, lifestyle, earning potential and the type of degree earned. And before you think it’s all about the financial security offered by a college degree, get this: college educated women reported happiness whatever the level of their family income, and they were also less likely to identify financial security as the main benefit of marriage. A 2015 study of 821 middle school students in the United States showed that life satisfaction and academic performance seem to have a reciprocal influence on each other. FAQ. It’s true: college graduates will experience better job conditions, career fulfillment, and pay than their less-educated peers. MyPlan.com is unquestionably the best resource on the Internet for career and college information. “There is a real financial cost to an education and unfortunately over the last 25 to 30 years that cost has continued to increase and sometimes at an alarming rate,” Merkle said. Whatever the economic conditions, Cohen urges students to understand that “happiness is like a muscle that must be exercised and strengthened,” cautioning them not to focus too much on money or moving up the corporate ladder, especially at the expense of relationships or exploring creativity. In a perfect world, college equals success, success equals money and money equals happiness. Talk to an Advisor. This difference is most pronounced among Hispanic and white college graduates, who are, respectively, 43.1% and 42.7% more likely to report “very good” or better health than those with less than a high school diploma. By Lindsey Cook , Data Editor Jan. 12, 2015 Merkle agreed that a college degree can ease people’s worries when searching for opportunities in life. Among all racial groups, college graduates are more likely to report their health as “very good” or “excellent” than any other level of education. That means students will find more jobs available from recovered businesses, or alternatively, the capital necessary to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams. And people with a college degree are happier (33) than those without (30). Graduates in the UK have a greater sense of personal well-being and life satisfaction than those without a higher education qualification, according to a study. Not everyone needs marriage to be happy, of course. Here is what we know, based on years of research into how education is connected with happiness and success: Getting a college degree, for the most part, does help. “The values of a liberal education are often associated with a richer, more fulfilling life,” Burns said. At "top" colleges like Ivy Leagues, graduation rates are drastically higher at 90% or more." They’re certainly not the picture of post-college happiness, but economic predictions suggest that future college grads won’t have the same problems. Adults with no college education: Since 2001, adults with at least some college education have tended to be slightly happier than those without any college experience… Emiliana Simon-Thomas, PhD, is the science director of the Greater Good Science Center at the University of California, Berkeley. The state with the most women’s colleges is Massachusetts, with eight. Graduates can use their educational experience to pursue what they love to do. Colorado, Minnesota, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts all took top marks in the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index. An article analyzing the statistics from the Kalamazoo Gazette reported that people who were happy were more likely to have at least a bachelor’s degree than those who did not. For African Americans, the results were different but still reflected a rising money-happiness correlation: Happiness levels of blacks with no college … advertisement. Economists from the Council on Contemporary Families crunched data from 1950 to 2008, and found that for women, a college education correlates with a higher likelihood of marriage and a falling rate of divorce. Unemployment is poised to take a sharp drop down to 5.5% between 2015 and 2018, and GDP will jump during that time period as well: a 3.7% year-to-year change, much higher than 2013’s 1.4%. Among four year colleges, just 56% of students graduate within six years. We found the following to be credible references. Despite the fact that many variables may play a role in the determination of happiness, Burns said he strongly believes one of the most important predictors is a college education. They should also become fluent in more than one language, particularly Chinese. The stability of a college degree can also play a role in determining happiness. The course launched in September 2015 … Research profiled on PBS’s This Emotional Life indicates that community involvement contributes to more satisfaction in life. The South is the happiest region (32), 65+ is the happiest age group … Conveniently, that’s just about when today’s high school seniors will graduate from college. Top Tips for College Freshman. Degreed individuals have better health knowledge, literacy, and behaviors, so they are more likely to understand how nutrition, exercise, drugs, alcohol, and health and disease management can impact their lives. Featured programs and school search results are for schools that compensate us. Everyone could use more happiness; we are never truly 100% happy with our lives. The main life evaluation question asked in the poll is: “Please imagine a ladder, with steps numbered from 0 at the bottom to 10 at the top. Unemployment is lower for those with a bachelor’s degree or higher, and grads enjoy higher pay. College depression is a widespread problem. If earning potential is certainly a factor in happiness, those with a bachelor’s degree have less to worry about than those without college experience. Graduates aren’t just living longer, either; health quality in those longer years is better, as well. There are countless pieces of research that all point to the same conclusion: life as a college grad is just better. 1. List of Top Ranked Colleges and Universities, List of Top Ranked Online Colleges and Universities, List of Cheapest Ranked Colleges and Universities, List of Smallest Ranked Colleges and Universities, Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement. Teach or Tutor for Us. Oberlin College was the first college to grant degrees to women in 1841. 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Individuals with enough money to make ends meet, like college grads with gainful employment, will be happier than people who are poor. Mill argued that happiness (meaning pleasure or the absence of pain) was the ultimate purpose or end of human life. Phone: Mon-Fri 9AM-10PM ET. "A recent Harvard study "Pathways to Prosperity" showed that the US has the highest college dropout rate among industrialized nations. Recent grads have had a bum deal. Activities are also clear cornerstones of success sixty women colleges in the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index therapist near you–a service! Meaning pleasure or the absence of pain ) was the first college grant. Grant a bachelor ’ s students should be excited about what the future has to offer grads yet reason! Research profiled on PBS ’ s Fix college, the Right Way more. searching for in! 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