Bachelor's degree or higher is a commonly used term by the United States Census Bureau and other U.S. government agencies on the federal as well as state and local level. The term describes the portion of the population that has either a bachelor's degree or a higher degree such as a master's or doctorate degree. In 2003 27.2% of the population over 25 years old in the United States had an educational attainment described as "bachelor's degree or higher," meaning that 27.2% of the population had either a bachelor's or a higher degree.
The term is sometimes used as a synonym for "college graduate" as it includes not only those with a bachelor's degree but all others who have completed a degree requiring more than four years of credits. While the term is sometimes used interchangeably with the term college graduate, it excludes those with an associate's degree, as this college degree only requires two years' worth of units and is thus lower than bachelor's degree.
Famous quotes containing the words bachelor, degree and/or higher:
“The wonderful scope and variety of female loveliness, if too long suffered to sway us without decision, shall finally confound all power of selection. The confirmed bachelor is, in America, at least, quite as often the victim of a too profound appreciation of the infinite charmingness of woman, as made solitary for life by the legitimate empire of a cold and tasteless temperament.”
—Herman Melville (1819–1891)
“As to the bride, she is blithe as the month; if one can compare in any degree a weed of December, with the fragrance of May; for a weed in truth it is, and a weed not in its first prime.”
—Frances Burney (1752–1840)
“There is one thing higher than Royalty: and that is religion, which causes us to leave the world, and seek God.”
—Elizabeth I (1533–1603)