The College Degree Advantage: Why University Graduates in the US Live Longer

A groundbreaking study by Princeton economists Anne Case and Angus Deaton has revealed a startling disparity in life expectancy between Americans with college degrees and those without. According to the study, a 25-year-old American without a four-year college degree can expect to live approximately 10 years less than their college-educated counterparts.

The Economic Paradox

Despite the United States experiencing robust economic growth over the past two decades, its measures of wellness, particularly life expectancy, have not kept pace. The study points out that while the country's wealth has been growing, its life expectancy has been falling behind other industrialized nations.

The Factors Behind the Decline

Higher mortality rates among non-graduates are attributed to a range of factors such as drug overdoses, shootings, and car accidents. This trend has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has had a significant impact on life expectancy calculations based on mortality data at various ages.

The Role of Inequality

The study emphasizes that if Americans with college degrees were considered a separate country, they would rank just below Japan in terms of life expectancy. This is largely because college graduates generally have higher incomes and are better equipped to protect themselves from various dangers. However, even among this privileged group, there is a higher likelihood of falling victim to violence or drug overdoses compared to their counterparts in other countries.

The Bigger Picture

The study serves as a grim reminder of the role of inequality in the United States, contributing to the overall decline in American mortality rates. It also raises questions about the effectiveness of economic growth as a sole indicator of a nation's well-being.