Unemployment rate 2.5 percent for college grads, 7.7 percent for high school dropouts, January 2017

The unemployment rate in January 2017 was 8%, which was not much different from the unemployment rate in December 2016 or January 2016. Among those over the age of over 25 with a bachelor's degree or higher, the unemployment rate in January 2017 was 5% compared to one year ago.

For universities and associates who have an associate degree, the unemployment rate in January 2017 was 8%, 2% a year ago.

Among the workers over 25 who graduated from high school but did not attend university, the unemployment rate in January 2017 was 3%, the same as the same period of the previous year.

If the high school diploma is insufficient workers, the unemployment rate in January 2017 is 7%, which is not much different from the unemployment rate in January 2016.

These data were obtained from the current census. For details, see "Employment - January 2017" (HTML) (PDF). Please also refer to the chart related to the latest "Employment situation" press release.

For those with a four-year degree, the future is bright. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, in January 2017, the unemployment rate of the bachelor's degree over 25 was 2.5% and the unemployment rate of the high school diploma was 5.3%. But for millions of other students, the future is even darker. In reality, in the United States there is a university to overcome the crisis. The US Department of Education reported that among older undergraduates only 59% of students graduated within 6 years instead of 4 years. For two-year college students, the completion rate will be even lower. In summary of these figures, most American students entering university do not complete or do not complete a degree within the allotted time.

Not only that. As of September 2014, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the unemployment rate of university graduates over the age of 25 is 2.9%. For high school graduates, this proportion is 5.3% (8.4% for those who have not received diploma or GED). According to Mr. Pew, the person who got a bachelor's degree has high satisfaction with work, a clear career path, and a low poverty rate. Statistics on the last point are particularly compelling: in 2012, 6% of college graduates between 25 and 32 years old lived in poverty. For those who do not have a university, this is amazing 22%.

The job market is even more difficult for those who are not receiving higher education. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate of high school graduates last month was only 5.8%, unemployment rate of university graduates was 4.5%, unemployment rate of bachelor degree or higher was 2.5%. According to a report released by JP Morgan Chase last year, about 44% of the work in the Chicago area is moderate skill level, half of which is high demand work and paid wages. According to the report, these "targeted" intermediate skills - registered nurses and diesel mechanics - paid an average hourly salary of $ 26.93, and by the year 2019 it is expected that 28,000 people will be employed annually in the Chicago area ing.