New data shows earning power of college graduates

Individuals with bachelor's degrees will earn $400,000 more in their lifetimes than those with just a high school diploma, according to a new report from the College Board. College graduates who enrolled at age 18 and earned a degree in four years "can expect to earn enough relative to a high school graduate" by age 33 to make up for paying tuition and other costs and for being out of the workforce while in college, the report notes. The study comes as polls show some Americans are skeptical of the value of higher education and whether a traditional degree is worth the investment. Although some recent surveys have indicated that potential students and their families are questioning whether a four-year degree is affordable or worth the cost, the College Board's report, which is updated every three years, points to some payoffs.