<p>Is the relation between success in the professional life and which college one attends very strong?</p>
<p>Or is it exaggerated?</p>
<p>I thought I'd post it here as there seems to be more mature people in this subforum.</p>
<p>College education increases (statistically) the average lifetime earnings of an individual. School, degree, and geographic region also affect these averages. The really interesting question in your statement is how do you define success in professional life? If it’s not as simple as lifetime earning potential, I think you’ll have trouble digging up the stats to help inform a decision.</p>
<p>Here’s an interesting article with more data on this subject: [How</a> Higher Education Affects Lifetime Salary - US News and World Report](<a href=“http://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/2011/08/05/how-higher-education-affects-lifetime-salary]How”>http://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/2011/08/05/how-higher-education-affects-lifetime-salary)</p>
<p>I imagine there would be an overall correlation showing stronger career success associated with better schools. But when you get right down to it, it depends so heavily on the individual and their drive. work ethic, etc., that it would be hard to apply any such statistics to a single person.</p>
<p>Also, as I am sure you know, there is an unquantifiable dab of luck involved in career success.</p>
<p>What’s your definition of succcess? When I was in college, mine was to be happier and more secure than my parents. I achieved that with a 2.4 GPA and a degree from a tier 3 state U. Oh, and I flunked out along the way. It’s all relative.</p>