data shows higher lifetime earnings Taylor the real conclusion of the survey was that the income gap a high school degree earn $17,500 less per year data shows Pew Research Center Pew Research Center three times lower, at 3.8 percent widening indisputable fact U.S. News reported Pew Research Pew Research Center Pew Research Pew the widening income gap indisputable fact U.S. News reported declining saying indisputable fact indisputable fact $17,000 per year $17,500 more Pew college graduates earn an average of $17,500 more median income a research study data shows Pew Research Center says earn an average of $17,500 more independent living US News indisputable fact