Choosing not to finish high school, or choosing not to go to college, does not automatically condemn you to a miserable life. However, if you choose to further your education, you are more likely to get a job that pays well and one that you enjoy. In 2005, the U.S. Census Bureau found that workers without high school diplomas earned an average of $18,734 a year, while workers with high school diplomas earned $27,915 a year. Workers with college degrees made an average of $51,206 a year. Even attending college and not finishing it is likely to result in a higher salary than if you never attended college.