dr. bill zumetta researches and teaches the economics of education. >> here's another big number. $300,000 does that mean? >> the 300,000 is a conservative estimate of the gains from getting a college degree compared to a high school diploma. minus all the costs of going to college. however much it costs to going to college ultimately it should pay off. >> jill is glad she got an education but those grad school loans come due in january. greater long term earning potential than undergraduate degrees but he emphasizes that costs are not for everyone. >> this is avery's postsecondary education. all the pipe-hauling, ditch digging adding up to a head start in life. >> you're always going to need plumbers, it goes the same for other professors. >> everyone needs a plumber? >> exactly. >> since talking with al jazeera jill has found employment in the art management field. degrees costs and benefits this time on the program. leslie fenwick is the dean of the harvard university school of education, andrew hanson is a research analyst at georgetown university center on education and the workforce.