It goes without saying that high school students with higher grades generally have a better chance of getting into college. But getting good grades in high school also improves one’s chances of earning more money in his or her career.
A recent study by researchers at the University of Miami found that for every 1 point increase in high school GPA, men earned an average of 12 percent more in adulthood, and women earned an average of 14 percent more. Additionally, a one point GPA increase made both men and women twice as likely to graduate from college, and higher GPA’s also increased people’s likelihood of attending graduate or professional school.
The report was based on surveys of more than 10,000 people — 4,694 men and 5,525 women — between the ages of 24 and 34. These individuals’ GPA’s were calculated from their high school transcripts.
One of the report’s authors cautioned that the findings showed only a correlation, not a cause-and-effect relationship. Nonetheless, students who earn good grades in high school likely will reap the rewards throughout their lives. And perhaps those who haven’t done so well in school will be motivated by this research to work a little harder.
