Without a high school diploma you’re at a large disadvantage when job searching in a competitive job market. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that professionals possessing a high school diploma usually make a minimum $700 a month more than individuals that do not have a high school diploma. Moreover, the earnings disparity between workers with and without high school diploma is becoming greater since high school graduates 30 years ago made over $400 or more a month than workers that did not earn a high school diploma.
Today the majority of entry-level career positions, let alone jobs, require candidates to have a high school diploma, GED, or the equivalent. Only five years ago, high school professionals possessing a high school diploma were 70% more likely to gain meaningful employment than professonals who do not have a high school diploma. While no educational program will guarantee future career success, earning a high school diploma or GED is essential for anyone serious about their future career opportunities.
Earning Your High School Diploma vs. a GED
A high school diploma and GED are not the same thing. A GED is an equivalency exam that covers five specific areas: science, writing, social studies, literature/reading comprehension and mathematics. Passing the GED exam makes you a “GED holder”, however, it does not mean you have a high school diploma. The only way to become a “high school graduate” is to completed an accredited campus based, distance learning, or online high school program — which entails you completing a variety of credit requirements.
So which one should you pursue? Well, in our opinion you should just complete your high school diploma if at all possible. Earning a high school diploma has never as easy and straight forward as it is today. You don’t have to go back to school if you don’t want to, you can just sign up for an accredited distance learning program and earn your high school diploma entirely online.