Often, a college degree translates into more employment opportunities and higher salaries.  It also usually provides greater job security.  The relationship between education and job security has been painfully evident during the recent recession. In 2009, the official annual unemployment rate in Wisconsin was 8.5 percent.  However, the unemployment rate for Wisconsin residents between 25 and 64 years old with at least a bachelor’s degree was only 3.1 percent.  The average unemployment rate in Wisconsin for 25 to 64 year olds who did not finish high school was 16.3% .

That compares to the Madison Metropolitan Statistical Area (Dane, Columbia and Iowa Counties) where the unemployment rate for residents without a high school diploma was 10.8 percent in 2009.  The rate for those with at least a bachelor’s degree living in the Madison Metro area was 2.3 percent in 2009.