Do I Have to Have a GED or

Diploma?
by Sandra L. Campbell, Demand Media

A GED diploma offers a student many options.

Deciding to stay in school or obtain a GED diploma can be a difficult choice to make.
Pursuing a traditional diploma can offer a student the chance to study a varied academic
curriculum and make strong social connections. However, some students have to leave
school early for pressing financial reasons or family problems. Understanding what the
alternatives are to earn an educational credential can help a student make wise choices.

The Basics
Started in 1942, the GED, or General Educational Development, tests individuals on basic
academic skills such as math, language arts, reading, writing, social studies and science. The
GED credential is equivalent to the high school diploma, thus leaving a student with a variety
of options. Opting for a GED diploma is not easier; applicants must score on the same level
as 60 percent of all graduating high school seniors. The American Council of Education, the
writer of the GED exam, authorizes each state to administer the test for interested applicants.

Job Opportunities
As with a regular high school diploma, an individual with a GED credential can find a range of
career opportunities. Most employers, at least 96 percent, accept the GED as a valid
educational credential for employment, according to the the GED Testing Service. However,
some have a different opinion about the usefulness of a GED diploma. In a 2012 article on
NPR, In Today's Economy, How Far Can a GED Take You, Russell Rumberger, author of
Dropping Out, states that employers value perseverance and tenacity and that these
qualities can't be realistically measured by the GED. Although, in the same article, it's noted
that more than 700,000 individuals obtain the GED credential each year, making it a popular
alternative to the traditional diploma route.

Higher Education
High school graduates and individuals with GED credentials enjoy the same access to grants,
loans and scholarships for colleges and trade schools. According to an article on Education
Portal High School Diploma vs The GED, about 95 percent of colleges and universities
accept the GED. Students who plan to study overseas, however, should verify whether the
school takes the GED credential, as some international school have different standards.

Salary
Whether a person decides on a regular diploma or a GED, she will benefit from increased
earnings. Without a GED or diploma, a person can expect to make $375,000 less over the
course of a lifetime, reports a 2012 article on Educational Testing Services, Dropping Out of
High School: Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Remediation Strategies. Additionally, Kankakee
Community College online reports that a GED graduate can earn $2,040 more per year than
a high school dropout. A high school diploma or a GED can afford a student opportunities for
economic advancement.