US college graduates live an average of 11 years longer than those who never finish high school, study finds

The latest analysis by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington’s School of Medicine revealed vast geographic differences in life expectancy based on educational attainment in the United States. The study, published in The Lancet Public Health, highlighted a widening gap between the least and most educated individuals, with a notable increase in lifespan for those with higher levels of education.

According to the research, the gap between the most and least educated individuals has grown over time, from eight years in 2000 to nearly 11 years in 2019. College graduates experienced an increase in their life expectancy by 2.5 years, reaching an average of 84.2 years. Similarly, individuals who completed some college saw their life expectancy rise by 0.7 years to 82.1 years. In contrast, high school graduates only saw a 0.3-year increase to 77.3 years, while those without a high school diploma experienced no improvement, with a life expectancy of 73.5 years.

The study’s senior author, IHME Associate Professor Laura Dwyer-Lindgren, emphasized the link between formal education and better employment opportunities, higher income, and improved access to healthcare, all of which contribute to a healthier life for individuals with higher education levels.

Across all education groups and counties in the US, life expectancy ranged from 68.2 to 93.2 years. The disparities were most significant for those who did not finish high school, with a range of 57.9 to 90.1 years across counties. In comparison, college graduates had a narrower range of 75.2 to 93.9 years, indicating a smaller gap in life expectancy.

The study also highlighted the global perspective of educational disparities in life expectancy. If US college graduates were a country, they would rank fourth in life expectancy globally, while individuals without a high school degree would rank 137th. Geographic disparities within the US were also evident, with certain regions experiencing larger declines in life expectancy, especially among those with lower levels of education.

Notably, females generally had a higher life expectancy than males across all education levels. The gaps in life expectancy between the least and most educated individuals were larger and grew more for males than females over the 20-year study period.

This groundbreaking research by IHME provides valuable insights into the impact of education on life expectancy in the US, highlighting the importance of access to education and its implications for overall health and well-being. The findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to address disparities in education and healthcare to improve health outcomes for all individuals, regardless of their educational background.