Study: College Grads Weathered Worst Of Recession

Having a college degree helps, even during a recession. A study out of the Stanford Center on Poverty and Inequality found that while recent college graduates between the ages of 21 and 24 were affected by the economic downturn, they were relatively insulated from the worst of it compared to people with high school or associate degrees.

For example, the average employment decline was much smaller for four-year degree holders, as was the decline in wages:

The study also found that the recession was more short-lived for college grads who did suffer, as both declines in wages and employment stabilized more quickly for those with higher-education degrees. Study authors said they want the results to refute a “backdrop of discouraging media stories” about unemployed college graduates.