Wage Outcomes and Educational Attainment of Alumni of Texas Public Schools

Educational attainment plays a critical role in shaping wage outcomes, directly influencing whether individuals can earn a living wage—the minimum income needed to meet basic needs such as food, housing, healthcare, and other essentials. Research consistently shows a strong connection between higher levels of education and increased earning potential. While many studies rely on assumptions or short-term data, Texas’ robust education and workforce data systems allow us to examine long-term trends more accurately.

The analytics team at The Commit Partnership used data from the Texas Public Education Information Resource’s (TPEIR) school-to-employment page to create the following dashboards. These tools support our True North Goal: by 2040, at least half of all 25- to 34-year-olds in Dallas County—irrespective of race or socioeconomic status—will earn a living wage. These dashboards are designed to help educators, policymakers, nonprofits, and philanthropists better understand the wage outcomes of Texas public school alumni, empowering more informed decisions that support our students’ success from first steps to first jobs.  

Educational Attainment Rates (2012 to 2022)

From 2012 to 2022, the proportion of Texas young adults ages 25 to 34 with some college experience declined by about 5%. However, that drop did not result in a corresponding 5% increase in postsecondary credential attainment. Instead, roughly half of that group shifted into categories representing either high school graduates or individuals who did not complete high school. The remaining half contributed to a modest 3% increase in associate, bachelor's, and advanced degrees. In Dallas County, a 6% decline in students in the “some college” category was accompanied by a 4% increase in the share of young adults without a high school diploma.

As new data becomes available, The Commit Partnership continues to monitor trends in postsecondary attainment and high school completion. One of our key goals is to reduce the number of individuals with some college experience but no credential—by helping more students complete the degrees they start. Through our partnerships with the Economic Mobility Center and Education Is Freedom, we are working to guide students toward high-wage, high-demand career pathways. This work also equips school systems and higher education partners with data insights to help identify challenges and intervene more effectively.

To explore these trends further, use the dashboard’s filters to examine results by county, school district, or demographic characteristics. (View Dashboard)

Average Wages by Educational Attainment Level (2012 to 2022)

From 2012 to 2022, the inflation-adjusted value of a bachelor’s degree increased by more than $5,000. Most other levels of educational attainment also saw gains. For example, individuals without a high school diploma experienced a 7% increase in average annual wages. Still, bachelor’s degree holders earn more than twice as much annually as those without a high school diploma.

In Dallas County, wage trends among public school alumni mirror these statewide patterns. Inflation-adjusted earnings have increased across all levels of educational attainment, similar to trends observed in counties like Collin. In contrast, counties such as Harris have seen declining wage values for many postsecondary credentials. Across all geographies, students with an associate degree or higher earn on average over $23,000 more per year than peers with less education—a difference that compounds significantly over time and underscores the economic value of postsecondary success.

A study from the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, The College Payoff, reports that "The lifetime earnings of a full-time full-year worker with a high school diploma are $1.6 million, while workers with an associate’s degree earn $2 million. However, at least one quarter of high school graduates earn more than an associate’s degree holder. Bachelor’s degree holders earn a median of $2.8 million during their career, 75% more than if they had only a high school diploma.”

At The Commit Partnership, we continue to advocate for policy solutions like House Bill 8 (88R), which provides outcomes-based funding to community colleges helping students earn credentials of value in high-demand fields. While the overall wage premium for associate degrees has not grown as much as other credentials, when disaggregated by specific degree type and field, associate degrees can still offer meaningful economic returns for Texas public school alumni. (View Dashboard)

Educational Attainment and Average Wages District Comparison Tool

There is a strong and consistent connection between postsecondary attainment and future earnings—and that relationship also reflects the K-12 systems students attend. In Dallas County, independent school districts with the highest share of alumni earning associate degrees or higher also show the highest average alumni wages. The inverse is true as well: districts with the lowest share of postsecondary attainment tend to have the lowest average earnings among their alumni. This pattern reinforces the importance of promoting success in postsecondary pathways—particularly those that lead to credentials of value in high-demand, high-wage fields.

At The Commit Partnership, we are committed to breaking cycles of economic inequity. These dashboards provide a sobering view of the persistent connection between educational opportunity, neighborhood context, and future earnings. The data shows how much a student’s future can be shaped by where their family lives and which schools they attend—factors often beyond the student’s control.

While the dashboards reflect outcomes for students who graduated high school between 2006 and 2015, the trends they reveal remain urgent. They serve as a call to action for our public education system: to ensure all students are prepared for the workforce of the future by expanding equitable access to postsecondary pathways. (View Dashboard)

Demographic Gap Analysis

The final tool below helps illuminate disparities in educational attainment and wages by race and ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic status. These gaps persist across Texas—at the state, county, and district levels. No community is immune to the systemic barriers that limit equitable opportunities and outcomes for all students.

We encourage you to use this tool to identify bright spots and guide improvement. Let this data serve as a flashlight—not a hammer—shining a light on where support is most needed and where promising progress is already underway. Explore below to see how outcomes vary across key demographic factors. (View Dashboard)

Policymakers, educational institutions, and employers all play a role in aligning educational opportunities with the economic realities facing Texas workers. Investing in accessible, affordable education that leads to high-wage, high-demand careers is essential to helping more individuals achieve economic security through sustainable earnings.

Expanding postsecondary attainment aligned with workforce needs supports not only individual stability but also the long-term economic health of our communities. It is a key strategy for promoting equitable growth and reducing poverty across Texas.

Data Sources and Additional Notes

The data presented here is based on a public information request from the Texas Public Education Information Resource (TPEIR) dashboard on Employment and Earnings by Education, available here.

• Educational attainment refers to the highest level of education completed by an individual.
• Wage data includes only those individuals whose wages were reported to the Texas Workforce Commission and who were enrolled in a Texas public school in grades 7–12.
• College enrollment and completion data reflects outcomes only from Texas public two- and four-year higher education institutions.

View the full dashboard below or click here.

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