College Graduate - Age 65+ in South Dakota

South Dakota

Educational attainment is important to the continuous development of a society. Those who earn a college degree have access to a wider variety of employment opportunities and are compensated more on average than those without a college degree.

College graduates tend to engage in healthier behaviors, which contribute to longevity and better quality of life. College graduates are also more likely to participate in civic engagement activities like voting, community service and community organizing, all of which are associated with positive mental and physical health outcomes.

Although older adults cannot change their educational history, it’s important to recognize that education remains one of the greatest drivers of health inequities.

Among older adults, the percentage of college graduates is higher among: 

• Asian populations compared with non-Hispanic white, non-Hispanic African American and Hispanic populations.
• Men compared with women.

While obtaining a college degree after the age of 65 is uncommon, education remains a major predictor of health and mortality outcomes. The attainment of a college degree by age 25, as opposed to high school completion only, has been linked to better cognitive function later in life. Education is also a determining factor in socioeconomic status, which is, in turn, a reliable predictor of health outcomes across age, gender and race. Therefore, implementing policies that improve access to quality education for low-income and racial/ethnic minority populations can significantly improve long-term health and overall community well-being. Additionally, creating inclusive policies for elder education can boost senior enrollment in degree-conferring programs.

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