Education Brief
Nov 28, 2025 - Education Brief
How much money Richmonders can make, by degree obtained
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In metro Richmond, having a college degree still pays — by a lot.
The big picture: College grads in the area earn nearly double what high school graduates make, recent Census data shows.
- And the pay gap between higher-ed degree holders and high school-degree holders has widened between 2015 and 2024.
By the numbers: In 2015, people with bachelor's degrees in Richmond made about $20,000 more than high school grads.
- By 2024, that gap had grown to nearly $30,000.
- Last year, graduate-degree holders made over $45,000 more than those with a high school diploma.
Yes, but: It's still possible to become successful without a higher-ed degree, and there's growing interest in specialized skill trades among young adults, especially as AI appears to threaten white collar work. reports Axios' Emily Peck.
The bottom line: For now, local and national data point to a longstanding reality: a degree boosts your paycheck.