Do You Need a High School Diploma?

Short answer

• There is no single yes or no answer. Whether you need a high school diploma depends on what you want to do next: the job, the college, the training program, the military branch, or the license involved.
• For many jobs, an employer sets its own education requirement. Some jobs list a diploma as required, some list it as preferred, some accept an equivalent credential, and some ask mainly about skills, experience, or a license.
• For most degree programs and for federal student aid, you generally need a high school diploma, a recognized equivalent such as a GED, completion of homeschooling as defined by state law, or an approved ability to benefit route. The exact rule varies by school and program, so check the institution, not just a general guide.
• The military generally treats a traditional diploma as the preferred credential. A GED is usually accepted but in a different tier, with fewer places and, in practice, higher test score expectations. Confirm current rules with a recruiter, because quotas and score rules change.
• If you do not have a diploma, you are not out of options. The main alternatives are earning an adult diploma, passing a high school equivalency test, completing approved homeschooling, earning college credit, or building skills and work experience for roles that do not require a diploma. Which one fits depends on your next goal.
• A diploma does not guarantee a job, admission, or a higher wage. It opens more doors on average, and national earnings data show higher median weekly pay for high school graduates than for workers without a diploma, but individual results depend on the field, the employer, the local job market, and your skills.

What a High School Diploma Actually Signals

A high school diploma is a school leaving credential. It says that a student completed the graduation requirements set by a school, district, or state: usually a set of credits across subjects such as English, math, science, and social studies, plus any state testing or other requirements that applied at the time. Graduation requirements are set at state and district level, not by one national standard, so two diplomas from different states do not always rest on identical course lists.

Employers, colleges, and licensing boards use the diploma as a shortcut. Rather than testing every applicant from scratch, they treat the diploma as evidence of basic literacy, numeracy, persistence, and the ability to complete a multi year program. That shortcut is useful, but it is also limited. A diploma does not prove job specific skill, reliability, or readiness for a particular college major. It is one credential among several that a decision maker may weigh, alongside experience, test scores, references, interviews, portfolios, and licenses.

That is why the same credential can matter a great deal in one setting and very little in another. A hospital hiring a nursing assistant, a state board licensing an electrician, a university admitting first year students, and a small business hiring a delivery driver are not asking the same question. Each has its own rules, risks, and applicant pool. The useful question is therefore not “is a diploma important in general” but “is it required for this specific next step, and if so, is an equivalent accepted.”

This article answers that question step by step. It is not the route guide: for the steps to earn one, see How to Get High School Diploma. It is also not the diploma versus GED comparison: for that detailed comparison, see Is a GED the Same as a High School Diploma. This article stays on the prior question, whether you need the credential at all, and what happens when you do not have it.

The Short Version by Goal

If you only have a minute, find your goal below, then read the matching section for the details and the exceptions.

• Getting a job: sometimes required, sometimes preferred, sometimes not mentioned. Read the posting closely, especially the words “required,” “preferred,” and “or equivalent.”
• Going to college: a diploma or a recognized equivalent is the usual entry point for degree programs and federal aid, but community colleges and non degree courses vary. Some allow enrollment without either credential for certain courses.
• Entering a trade or apprenticeship: many programs ask for a diploma or equivalent, but requirements vary by trade, program, and state. Some accept applicants who are working toward a credential.
• Joining the military: a diploma is the preferred credential. A GED is generally accepted in a lower tier with fewer openings. Enlisting with no credential at all is very difficult in practice.
• Getting a professional license: the board for that occupation decides. Some licenses require a diploma or equivalent plus training and exams; others set different education or experience rules.
• Starting your own business: no diploma is generally required to start a business, but licenses, permits, insurance, and client expectations vary by trade and location.
• Staying in school or returning as an adult: returning to finish a diploma is usually possible, and adult routes exist in most states. The best route depends on age, credits already earned, and state rules.

Do You Need a Diploma to Get a Job?

In general, private employers in the United States set their own hiring requirements, within anti discrimination and other employment laws. There is no single national law that says every job must require a diploma, and there is no single national law that forbids an employer from requiring one. A job posting is therefore the first document to read, and it is worth reading exactly.

Postings usually use one of four wordings, and the differences matter.

First, “high school diploma required.” That usually means the employer will screen out applicants without a diploma or a stated equivalent. If the posting adds “or equivalent” or “or GED,” an equivalency credential should satisfy that line, although the employer may still prefer a diploma in practice.

Second, “high school diploma preferred.” That usually means applicants without one can still apply and be considered, but they will compete against applicants who have one, and they may need stronger experience or skills to stand out.

Third, “high school diploma or equivalent experience.” That wording opens the door to a different kind of proof: years of relevant work, a certificate, or a portfolio may substitute. Keep a clear record of that experience, because a hiring manager will still need something concrete to put in the file.

Fourth, no education line at all. Many roles in food service, retail, warehousing, cleaning, landscaping, caregiving support, construction labor, and similar fields list skills, availability, physical requirements, or a license instead. The absence of a diploma line does not mean the job is easy to get, but it does mean the diploma is not the screen.

Beyond the posting, the hiring reality varies by sector. Larger employers and government agencies tend to use formal minimum qualifications, partly because they process many applications and need a consistent screen. Smaller employers often weigh a conversation, a trial shift, a reference, or a work sample more heavily. Regulated roles are different again: a school, hospital, or transport company may require a credential because a regulator, insurer, or client contract requires it, not because the hiring manager personally prefers it.

It is also worth asking what the diploma is standing in for. If a posting asks for a diploma plus a driving license, a food handler card, or a specific certificate, the extra credential may be the real gate. Earning that certificate while you decide about a diploma can be a practical short term step, but check whether the certificate program itself asks for a diploma or equivalent before enrolling.

None of this is a promise about any particular employer. If a posting is unclear, ask the employer or recruiter a direct question before you invest time: “Do you accept a GED or another equivalency for this role, or is a traditional diploma required?” The answer, in writing if possible, is more useful than a general article, including this one.

What the Earnings Data Do and Do Not Show

National earnings data are often quoted in this debate, and they deserve a careful reading. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports median usual weekly earnings for full time wage and salary workers aged 25 and over, by educational attainment. In the fourth quarter of 2024, workers without a high school diploma had median weekly earnings of 776 dollars, while high school graduates with no college had median weekly earnings of 977 dollars. The Bureau’s annual averages for 2024 show a similar pattern: 738 dollars for workers without a diploma and 930 dollars for high school graduates with no college.

A median is a midpoint, not an average for everyone and not a prediction for any one person. Half of workers in each group earned more than the median and half earned less. The gap also reflects many differences beyond the credential itself: occupation, hours, industry, region, age, experience, and access to further training all play a part. The figures do not prove that earning a diploma alone would move any particular worker from one median to the other.

Still, the pattern is consistent over time: groups with more formal education tend to have higher median earnings and lower unemployment in national data. That is a reason to take the credential seriously, not a guarantee. A diploma plus a low demand skill set may still pay less than a strong trade skill, a growing business, or a specialized certificate in a shortage field. The earnings question is best asked at the level of a specific occupation, not at the level of “diploma versus no diploma” in the abstract. The Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, which gives education, training, and pay information by occupation, is a better tool for that comparison than any single national median.

Do You Need a Diploma for College?

For most degree programs, the answer is effectively yes, with “or a recognized equivalent” attached. Colleges and universities generally require applicants to hold a high school diploma or an equivalent credential. That rule also connects to federal student aid: the US Department of Education’s Federal Student Aid Handbook states that students are considered qualified to study at the postsecondary level if they have a high school diploma, the recognized equivalent of a diploma such as a GED or HiSET or another state sanctioned test or diploma equivalency certificate, have completed homeschooling at the secondary level as defined by state law, or have completed an approved ability to benefit alternative while enrolled in an eligible career pathway program.

That list matters because it shows the exceptions clearly. A GED is not a second class route for aid purposes in the way some applicants fear, although individual colleges may still weigh it differently in competitive admission. Homeschool completion counts when it meets the state law definition, which is why Homeschool Laws by State is worth checking before assuming a homeschool record will or will not qualify. The ability to benefit route is narrow: it applies only when the student is enrolled in an eligible career pathway program and meets the approved test or coursework alternative, so it is not a general workaround for anyone who wants aid without a credential.

Within that framework, institutions differ a great deal.

Community colleges often have the most open doors. Many admit students without a diploma or equivalent into certain non degree, workforce, or continuing education courses, and some allow enrollment in credit courses under local rules. Others require a diploma or equivalent for degree seeking enrollment but not for every class. The only safe step is to check the admissions page of the specific college and ask the admissions office which category of enrollment you would fall into.

Four year colleges and universities are generally stricter for degree seeking admission, and the most selective institutions are the most competitive overall: a diploma or GED is a minimum, not a ticket. Test scores, grades, essays, recommendations, and activities still decide competitive cases. Some institutions ask GED holders for additional evidence, such as college ready scores or placement test results, and a small number may treat the two credentials differently. GED Testing Service states that 98 percent of colleges and employers accept the GED, a figure the service itself publishes; treat it as the testing service’s claim about broad acceptance, not as a promise from any particular college.

Non degree study is a separate case. Short courses, workforce certificates, and some online programs may not require a diploma at all, but certificate programs vary: some are open enrollment, some require a diploma or equivalent, and some require a license or prior experience. Online Certificate Programs Free explains how certificate programs differ, and it is worth checking the entry requirements of any program before paying or enrolling. A certificate can be a useful step on its own, and it can also be a bridge: credits or experience from a certificate program sometimes support a later diploma or degree application, but that depends on the receiving institution.

If college is your goal and you lack a diploma, the practical order is usually: first, confirm whether your target college accepts a GED or another equivalency; second, confirm whether you qualify for aid under the route you plan to use; third, ask about placement tests and any extra requirements for GED holders; and fourth, only then choose between finishing a diploma and taking an equivalency test. That order avoids the common mistake of earning a credential that a particular college then treats less favorably than the alternative would have been treated.

For a broader look at whether a degree itself is worth the cost in a given field, see College Degrees That Are Not Worth It? A Data-First Guide to Cost, Pay, and Better Choices. The diploma question and the degree value question are related but different, and both deserve their own check.

Trades, Apprenticeships, and Licensed Work

Trades and licensed occupations are where “it depends” is most literal, because the decision maker is often a state board, a union apprenticeship committee, or a program sponsor rather than a single employer.

Many apprenticeship programs ask for a high school diploma or equivalent, plus minimum math or reading levels, a driving license, or the ability to pass a drug screen and a physical assessment. What is an Apprenticeship explains how apprenticeships combine paid work with classroom training. Some programs accept applicants who are in the process of earning a credential, or who hold an equivalency, while others set a firm minimum. Because apprenticeship openings are competitive, a diploma can matter even when it is listed as preferred rather than required: it is one more way to rank applicants.

Licensed work adds another layer. A state board may require a diploma or equivalent, a set number of training hours, an apprenticeship, an exam, and a background check, in combination. Electricians, plumbers, cosmetologists, nursing assistants, commercial drivers, and many other roles each have their own board and their own mix. The requirements also change across state lines, so a credential that qualifies you in one state may not qualify you in another without additional steps. Always check the current rules of the board in the state where you plan to work, and be wary of any training provider that promises a license without naming the board and its requirements.

There are also skilled roles where the diploma is less central than a license or a certificate. A commercial driving license, a welding certification, a food safety certificate, or a first aid qualification may be the document an employer or client actually asks for. That does not make the diploma irrelevant: the training program for that license may itself require a diploma or equivalent, and promotion into supervisory or inspection roles often brings education requirements back into play. Think in two steps, the credential needed to enter the trade, and the credential that may be needed to advance in it.

The Military: Preferred, Tiered, and Quota Limited

The military is a special case because it uses a tier system rather than a simple yes or no rule. A traditional high school diploma places an applicant in Tier 1, the preferred category. A GED or another test based equivalency credential generally places an applicant in Tier 2, the alternate credential category. Applicants with no diploma and no equivalency fall into Tier 3, and enlisting in that category is very difficult in practice, requiring high level authorization that is rarely the normal route.

Tier 2 is a real route, not a closed door, but it comes with practical limits. The services cap the share of Tier 2 recruits they take each year, so qualified GED holders may wait for an opening even when they meet the other standards. Test score expectations are also commonly higher for Tier 2 applicants than for Tier 1 applicants, although the exact minimums vary by branch and by recruiting year and are not fixed in this article for that reason. College credit can change the picture: applicants who have earned a set amount of accredited college credit, commonly cited as 15 semester hours, may be reclassified into Tier 1. That detail alone makes it worth checking with a recruiter before assuming a GED leaves you at a permanent disadvantage.

The key point for this article is narrower: the military does not treat “no credential” and “GED” as the same thing, and it does not treat “GED” and “diploma” as identical either. If military service is your goal, talk to a recruiter early, ask which tier your credential places you in, ask about current openings and score expectations for that tier, and ask whether college credit or a diploma route would change your standing. Recruiting rules change with needs and policy, so a recruiter’s current answer matters more than any general guide.

Self Employment, Freelance Work, and Starting a Business

No diploma is generally required to register a business, take freelance clients, or sell a skill. Clients usually judge a portfolio, references, reviews, and delivered work, not a school record. That is why self employment is often presented as the route that bypasses the diploma question entirely, and in its simplest form that is true.

The limits appear quickly in regulated or trust heavy work. A contractor may need a trade license, a food business may need permits and inspections, a childcare provider faces state rules, a financial adviser faces licensing, and a health related practice faces education and licensing requirements that go far beyond a diploma. Insurance, bonding, and client contracts can also impose their own requirements. A client hiring someone to work in their home, handle their money, or care for a vulnerable person may reasonably ask about qualifications, background checks, and insurance, even if no law requires a diploma.

Self employment also shifts the burden of proof. An employee’s diploma is checked once by an employer; a freelancer must prove competence to every new client. A portfolio, testimonials, certifications, and a clear record of completed work become the credential. For some people that is a better fit than school. For others, the steady work of finishing a diploma is simpler than the steady work of winning clients without one. Both paths require work; they just require different kinds of work.

When a Diploma Matters Most, and When It Matters Least

It helps to put the cases side by side.

A diploma tends to matter most when:

• A job posting, college, program, board, or branch lists it as a firm minimum.
• You are competing for a limited number of places, such as a selective college, a capped apprenticeship, or a Tier 2 military slot, where any extra credential helps rank applicants.
• You plan to move between states, employers, or institutions, because a standard diploma travels more predictably than an informal record of experience.
• You want federal student aid for a degree program, where a diploma or a recognized equivalent is part of the eligibility framework.
• You are early in working life, with little experience yet to substitute for the credential.

A diploma tends to matter least, at least at entry level, when:

• The posting lists skills, a license, or availability instead of education.
• The employer is small and hires on a trial, a referral, or a work sample.
• The work is freelance or project based and judged by delivered results.
• You already hold a stronger credential that supersedes it, such as a college degree, a trade license, or a substantial portfolio in the field. Once a degree or license is in hand, few decision makers ask about high school again, although the original credential may still appear on background forms.

The middle ground is where most readers actually live: a diploma is preferred, an equivalent is accepted, or experience can substitute, but the path is smoother with the credential than without it. In that middle ground, the decision is about time, cost, and opportunity, not about whether the credential has any value at all.

What Counts as an Alternative

If you do not have a diploma, the alternatives are not interchangeable. Each one suits a different next step.

A high school equivalency credential, most commonly the GED, is earned by passing a set of tests that measure high school level academic skills. Other states use HiSET or another state sanctioned test. An equivalency is widely accepted for jobs, college admission, and aid, but as noted above, some colleges and some military tiers treat it differently from a diploma. For the full comparison, see Is a GED the Same as a High School Diploma and What Is a GED?.

An adult high school diploma is a different route: completing the remaining credits through an adult education program, rather than passing a single test battery. It results in an actual diploma, which can matter for employers or programs that prefer a diploma over an equivalency. Online High School Diploma for Adults covers the adult online route, and High School Diploma Online Free covers free online options, but check accreditation and state recognition carefully before enrolling: a diploma from an unrecognized provider may not satisfy an employer, college, or board.

Homeschool completion is a third route, governed by state law. In states that define and recognize homeschool completion at the secondary level, it can satisfy the same aid and admissions framework as a diploma, as the Federal Student Aid Handbook notes. How Does Homeschooling Work explains the general model, but state rules differ, so confirm your state’s definition and any required documentation.

College credit is a fourth route, and it works in two directions. Some colleges admit students into non degree or workforce courses without a diploma, and the credits earned there can later support a degree application. Separately, as noted in the military section, a set amount of accredited college credit can reclassify a military applicant. College credit is not a shortcut around every requirement, but it is a bridge worth asking about at the specific institution.

Work experience, certificates, and portfolios form a fifth route, strongest for jobs and freelance work and weakest for formal degree admission and licensing. A certificate in a shortage skill, a strong work history, or a portfolio of completed projects can outweigh a missing diploma for a particular employer, but it rarely substitutes for a diploma on a formal application form that requires one.

The right alternative depends on the destination. If the destination is a four year college, ask that college which route it prefers. If the destination is a trade license, ask the board. If the destination is a specific employer, ask the recruiter. Choosing the alternative before naming the destination is the most common and most avoidable mistake.

If You Do Not Have a Diploma: A Practical Decision Path

Start by naming the next step, not the credential. Write it down in one sentence: “I want to apply for X job,” “I want to enroll in Y program,” or “I want to join Z branch.” That sentence determines which rulebook applies.

Next, check the requirement in writing. Read the job posting, the college admissions page, the apprenticeship announcement, the board’s licensing page, or the recruiter’s guidance. Look for the exact words: required, preferred, or equivalent, and any mention of experience substituting for education.

Then, ask one direct question of the decision maker if anything is unclear. For a job, ask whether a GED or equivalent is accepted. For a college, ask whether GED holders face extra requirements. For a board, ask whether an equivalency plus training hours qualifies. Keep the answer with the posting or application, so you are not relying on memory later.

After that, compare the routes by time and cost. Finishing an adult diploma may take longer than passing an equivalency test, but it may be preferred by your target. An equivalency test may be faster, but it may leave you in a lower military tier or facing extra college requirements. A certificate may get you working sooner, but it may not satisfy a later licensing step. There is no universally fastest route, only a fastest route to a particular destination.

Finally, protect yourself against diploma mills and misleading providers. Be cautious of any program that offers a diploma for a fee with little or no coursework, testing, or verification, that claims accreditation from an unrecognized body, or that pressures you to pay before explaining its recognition in your state. A legitimate provider should be able to name its accreditor or state authorization, explain how its credential is recorded, and say plainly which employers, colleges, or boards accept it. If it cannot, treat that as a warning sign and check with your state education agency or adult education office before paying.

Common Myths, Checked

You do not need a diploma to apply for any job. False as a blanket statement. Some jobs require one, some prefer one, and some do not mention one. The posting decides.

A GED is exactly the same as a diploma everywhere. Not exactly. It is a recognized equivalent for many purposes, including federal aid, but individual colleges, employers, and military tiers may treat the two differently. The comparison article linked above gives the details.

You cannot go to college without a diploma. Too broad. Degree seeking admission and federal aid generally require a diploma or a recognized equivalent, but non degree courses, workforce programs, and the ability to benefit route have their own rules, and community colleges vary.

Everyone without a diploma earns low pay. The national medians show lower median pay for workers without a diploma, but medians describe groups, not individuals. Occupation, skills, and experience matter a great deal, and some skilled roles without a diploma requirement pay well. The medians are a reason to weigh the credential, not a verdict on any person.

It is too late to finish as an adult. Adult diploma and equivalency routes exist in most states, and many adults complete them while working. Age limits, costs, and program availability vary by state and provider, so check local adult education options rather than assuming the door is closed.

A diploma guarantees a good job. No credential guarantees employment or pay. A diploma opens more doors on average and satisfies more formal screens, but hiring still depends on skills, experience, references, interviews, and the local job market.

How to Talk About It on Applications

Honesty and precision matter more than wording tricks. On a resume or application, list the credential you actually hold, using its correct name: high school diploma, GED, HiSET, adult diploma, or homeschool completion as defined by your state. Do not describe an equivalency as a diploma, and do not describe a certificate of attendance as a diploma. Employers, colleges, and background checkers verify credentials, and a mismatch can cost an offer even when the underlying qualification would have been accepted.

If you are working toward a credential, say so plainly, with an expected completion window if you know it: “GED preparation in progress, testing planned for spring” or “adult diploma program, 6 credits remaining.” That gives a hiring manager something concrete and shows momentum, without claiming a credential you do not yet hold.

If you have no diploma and no equivalency, lead with what you do have: relevant experience, certificates, licenses, training hours, or a portfolio. Match that evidence to the posting’s stated requirements, and be ready to explain it in an interview. Experience does not erase a formal requirement where one exists, but where the requirement is preferred or flexible, concrete evidence is far stronger than a general claim.

Keep copies of transcripts, test scores, certificates, and any state documentation. Adult learners often lose time reconstructing records from schools that have closed or merged. A simple folder, physical or digital, with the official documents saves repeated requests later.

The Bottom Line

Do you need a high school diploma? For many goals, yes, or at least a recognized equivalent. For some jobs and some kinds of self employment, no. For competitive places, a diploma helps even when it is not strictly required. The honest answer is a map, not a slogan: find your destination, read its rule, and choose the route that satisfies that rule with the least wasted time and cost.

If you are still in school, finishing is usually the simplest route, because it keeps every later door open without extra explanations. If you left school, an adult diploma or an equivalency credential is usually the most useful next step, because it satisfies the formal screens that experience alone often cannot. If you already have work, a license, or a degree, the diploma question may already be behind you, and your energy is better spent on the next skill or credential in your field.

Whatever your situation, check the specific requirement before you decide, keep your records, and be wary of any provider that sells a credential without real coursework or testing. The diploma is a tool, not a verdict on your ability, and the best use of it is to match it to the goal in front of you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a high school diploma to get a job?

Not always. It depends on the employer and the role. Some postings require a diploma or equivalent, some list it as preferred, and some do not mention education at all. Read the posting, and ask the employer whether a GED or equivalent is accepted if the wording is unclear.

Can you get a job without a diploma or GED?

Yes, in many fields. Roles in food service, retail, warehousing, cleaning, landscaping, construction labor, and similar areas often hire on skills, availability, and reliability rather than a diploma. Regulated roles, government jobs with formal minimums, and jobs that require a license are more likely to set an education requirement, so check each posting.

Do you need a high school diploma for college?

For degree programs, you generally need a diploma or a recognized equivalent such as a GED, HiSET, or another state sanctioned equivalency, or homeschool completion as defined by state law. Federal aid follows a similar framework, with a narrow ability to benefit route for students in eligible career pathway programs. Community colleges and non degree courses vary, so check the specific college.

Is a GED enough instead of a diploma?

For many purposes, yes. A GED is a recognized high school equivalency credential and is widely accepted by colleges and employers. Some colleges may ask for extra evidence, and the military places GED holders in a different tier from diploma holders, so the answer depends on the destination. See Is a GED the Same as a High School Diploma for the detailed comparison.

Do you need a diploma to join the military?

A traditional diploma is the preferred credential and places an applicant in Tier 1. A GED is generally accepted in Tier 2, with fewer openings and, in practice, higher test score expectations. Enlisting with no credential is very difficult. Confirm current tier rules, openings, and score expectations with a recruiter, and ask whether accredited college credit would change your tier.

Do you need a diploma to get a trade license?

It depends on the trade and the state board. Some licenses require a diploma or equivalent plus training hours and exams. Others set different education or experience rules. Check the licensing board in the state where you plan to work, and check whether the training program itself requires a diploma before enrolling.

Can you start a business without a diploma?

Generally yes. Starting a business does not usually require a diploma, but licenses, permits, insurance, and client expectations vary by trade and location. Regulated work such as contracting, food service, childcare, and health related services brings its own rules, so check those before taking clients.

Is it too late to get a diploma as an adult?

No, in most states adult routes exist. Options include adult high school programs, online diploma programs for adults, and equivalency tests. The best route depends on your credits already earned, your target college or employer, and your state’s rules. See How to Get High School Diploma for the steps and Online High School Diploma for Adults for the adult online route, and verify any provider’s accreditation and state recognition before paying.

Does a diploma guarantee higher pay?

No. National data show higher median weekly earnings for high school graduates than for workers without a diploma, but a median describes a group, not an individual. Pay depends on occupation, skills, experience, hours, industry, and location. A diploma improves access to more roles on average; it does not guarantee any particular wage.

What should I do first if I do not have a diploma?

Name your next goal in one sentence, read its requirement in writing, and ask the decision maker one direct question if the wording is unclear. Then choose the route that satisfies that goal: an adult diploma, an equivalency test, homeschool completion documentation, college credit, or a certificate, depending on what the destination accepts.

Sources & references

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Usual Weekly Earnings news release, fourth quarter 2024: median weekly earnings of 776 dollars for full time workers aged 25 and over without a high school diploma and 977 dollars for high school graduates with no college. https://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/wkyeng_01222025.htm
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Population Survey table on median weekly earnings by educational attainment, annual averages 2024 and 2025. https://www.bls.gov/cps/cpsaat37b.htm
• National Center for Education Statistics, Digest of Education Statistics, Table 219.35: public high school averaged freshman graduation rate, United States 87.4 percent in 2022 to 2023. https://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d25/tables/dt25_219.35.asp?current=yes
• U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid Handbook 2025 to 2026, Volume 1, Chapter 1: academic qualifications for postsecondary study, including a high school diploma, a recognized equivalent such as a GED or HiSET, homeschool completion as defined by state law, and ability to benefit alternatives. https://fsapartners.ed.gov/sites/default/files/2025-2026/2025-2026_Federal_Student_Aid_Handbook/_knowledge-center_fsa-handbook_2025-2026_vol1.pdf
• GED Testing Service, Myths and Misconceptions About the GED: the service states that 98 percent of colleges and employers accept the GED. https://www.ged.com/blog/myths-about-the-ged.html