Picture(s) of the Day: College Pays

From Catherine Rampell at the NY Times' Economix blog two nice graphics from the Hamilton Project that reminds us, once again, that while college is getting more expensive and student debt is on the rise, the investment you make in your own human capital is one of the best investments you can make.  The first looks at the proportion of income earners that have college degrees, some college, etc., broken up by income level:

The second confirms that in present value terms, the investment in your own human capital is better than a lot of other alternatives. Interestingly an associates degree is especially good:

Don't be persuaded by reports of debt burdens and college graduates working in coffee shops - over the lifetime, a college degree pays off big time.