University education has fed the scientific and business success of our 3Ms, General Mills, and Medtronics. University-educated teachers have given us one of the nation's strongest school systems. University research brought us Iron Range taconite and tremendous farm productivity gains. The university also has powerfully leavened our citizenry, bringing us talented faculty and students from all over the nation and world.
College is the great divide in American working life.
College-educated Americans have far higher lifetime earnings than high school graduates. The gap has continued to increase. Even people who do not aspire to go to college benefit from the productivity gains that research and education bring to Minnesota's offices, factories and farms. It's not just about monetary returns to individuals, though. Citizens with higher education are more apt to vote, read newspapers and participate in community organizations.