Final answer:
Earning money is not a requirement for obtaining a degree; however, data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that higher education levels correlate with higher earnings, with a bachelor's degree significantly boosting annual income compared to just a high school diploma.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question of how much money one must earn to receive a certain degree seems to be a bit misplaced, as earning money is not a requirement for obtaining a degree but can affect the type of lifestyle one can afford post-graduation. Regarding the impact of education on earnings, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data shows that higher levels of education typically lead to higher earnings. For example, in 2020, median weekly earnings were $781 for workers with only a high school diploma ($40,612 annually), whereas those with a bachelor's degree earned $1,305 weekly ($67,860 annually), and holders of a master's degree earned about $1,545 per week ($80,340 annually). These figures indicate that as educational attainment increases, so does the potential for higher income, which can, in turn, support a more desired lifestyle after graduating from college.