A recent study from Michigan State University looked at how money spent on programs that help people in need and on education affected high school graduation rates. Graduating from high school is important for your health and future happiness.

The researchers studied seven years of data to see how public funding for education and support programs for low-income people influenced high school graduation rates in the US. They checked information from all public elementary and high schools, the money each state spent on these programs, and details about schools and counties.

Public investment

What they found was pretty clear: spending on both safety net programs and education had a big impact on high school graduation rates. This impact was even stronger for students who have been historically overlooked or underserved.

The study’s discoveries can directly help make graduation rates in public schools better. It shows a way to make education fairer and more effective for everyone.

“Assuming the other form of spending remains at average levels, we found that a one percentage point increase in high school graduation rates is associated with an additional investment of $437 per child in social safety net spending or $720 in educational spending,” the researchers explain.

Adequate funding

“Our findings underscore the importance of adequately financing both high-quality public education systems and social safety net programs.”

Finishing high school is a big deal for your health and future. People who didn’t finish high school make about $10,000 less every year compared to high school graduates. And they earn around $36,000 less than those with a college degree.

High school grads also tend to have fewer health problems when they get older and live longer lives.