A view on education - A chain is only as strong as its weakest link

Here are some very interesting 2009 U.S. Census Bureau Statistics:

Educational Attainment by Degree-Level and Age-Group (American Community Survey) Percent of Adults 25 to 64 with a Bachelors Degree or Higher - 2009

Difference in Median Earnings Between a High School Diploma and a Bachelors Degree 25 to 64 Year Olds - 2007

Some thoughts:

1. We are in a innovation and technology based economy yet only 29.8% of the population has a Bachelors degree.
2. In South Carolina only 55% of high school students graduate 'on-time.' 
3. Using the US average, a person with a Bachelors degree will earn approximately $858,200.00 more in their lifetime (not adjusting for inflation).  
4. A C of C out-of-state student would see a $9.8:1 return on investment over a lifetime.  An in-state students would see $20.4:1 return.
5. A student with a Bachelors degree is almost 2.8 times less likely to be unemployed

People ask me all the time what I think about the state of education in this state, country etc.  I think the numbers are stating their own case.