<p>[Earnings</a> Gap Between College and High School Grads Small - WSJ.com](<a href=“Earnings Gap Between College and High School Grads Small - WSJ”>Earnings Gap Between College and High School Grads Small - WSJ) says that the estimated lifetime earnings difference between average HS diploma and the average college degree holders is between $279,893 and $450,000. Over 40 years of work the average difference is about $9000 per year.</p>