GED vs. High School Diploma: Which Path Is Right for You?
Navigating the world of education can be challenging, especially when considering alternatives to the traditional high school route. Most jobs on the market require a high school diploma for consideration. It sets the groundwork for new careers, additional schooling pathways, and opportunities to earn more. However, accessing a high school diploma program or even finding a GED program that works with your schedule can be incredibly difficult, and knowing the right course of action can be even harder. For those who didn't complete high school, the General Education Development (GED) certificate offers an alternative. But how does a GED compare to a high school diploma, and which option is the better choice? This article breaks down the key differences, benefits, and drawbacks of each path to help you make an informed decision about your future.
Understanding the Basics
A high school diploma is the standard credential awarded upon successful completion of a prescribed set of academic courses. Traditionally, this involves four years of study in core subjects like English, math, science, and social studies, along with elective courses. Completing assignments and building knowledge over time are integral to this coursework-based approach.
The GED, on the other hand, is a high school equivalency certificate. It's designed for individuals who didn't complete a traditional high school program. Instead of earning credits through coursework, GED recipients pass a series of four subject-area tests:
- Mathematical Reasoning
- Science
- Social Studies
- Reasoning Through Language Arts
Key Differences Between a GED and a High School Diploma
While both credentials signal the completion of high school-level education, they differ significantly in structure, perception, and long-term impact. Here's a breakdown of the key differences:
1. Learning Approach
- High School Diploma: Involves learning and studying vs. taking tests and completing assignments. A high school diploma involves studying, learning, and taking tests and completing assignments. Coursework-based, structured learning over time.
- GED: A set of four exams. Test-based, self-study or prep program.
2. Time Commitment
- High School Diploma: Perhaps the time requirement is the key difference in the GED vs. high school diploma question. Traditional high school students typically need four years to complete classes and graduate. Earning a high school diploma takes longer than earning a GED. If you are enrolled in a traditional high school, it will take 4 years to finish. Online high school can take less time. The average time to earn a high school diploma online is about 6-14 months.
- GED: The GED is a 7-hour test. For most people, preparing for it takes less than a year. Faster completion: Some students can earn their GED in a few weeks or months, depending on readiness. If you take a prep course, it can take around 3 months to prepare for and get your GED.
3. Curriculum Breadth
- High School Diploma: Core subjects + electives. Broader, more comprehensive education. In a high school diploma program, you’ll learn a variety of subjects and skills, from how to write an essay to basic math to learning a language.
- GED: Core subjects only. Focused on exam-level proficiency.
4. Socialization
- High School Diploma: The high school experience includes social learning and extracurriculars just as much as academic learning.
- GED: GED programs do not include socialization opportunities, especially if you choose online learning.
5. Recognition and Perception
- High School Diploma: A high school diploma has long been typically more valuable than a GED in terms of finding employment and pursuing higher education. Preferred by most colleges, employers, and the military. A diploma is often viewed as a sign of long-term commitment and academic follow-through.
- GED: Accepted by many, but sometimes viewed as less comprehensive. May be perceived as less rigorous.
6. Grade Point Average (GPA)
- High School Diploma: A high school diploma typically includes a grade point average, while a GED does not.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Each Option
To further clarify the GED vs. high school diploma debate, let's examine the pros and cons of each:
Read also: The International Baccalaureate Diploma
High School Diploma
Pros:
- Comprehensive education through structured courses
- Preferred by employers, colleges, and the military
- Stronger preparation for long-term goals
- The high school experience includes social learning and extracurriculars just as much as academic learning.
Cons:
- Takes more time than the GED
- Requires consistent effort and time management
- Requires a serious time commitment daily during the school year.
- The hardest part of a high school diploma for many students can be how much you have to learn and juggling information from a variety of subjects all at once. In traditional high school, you’ll study several subjects at one time and have different classes throughout the day, which can be a lot for some students.
GED
Pros:
- Faster to complete
- Ideal for independent learners or those on a deadline
- Accepted by many colleges and employers
- GED.com makes it easy to work toward earning your GED with online resources, study guides, progress goals, practice tests, and more.
- An online high school diploma can offer you the ability to learn at your own pace, around your schedule, with no set timeline to complete.
Cons:
- May be perceived as less rigorous
- Limited exposure to full high school curriculum
- Restricted options in military and some colleges
- GED programs do not include socialization opportunities, especially if you choose online learning.
- It carries a stigma of not being as robust as a high school degree and may appear as a “red flag” to potential employers.
How Employers, Colleges, and the Military View the GED
The perception of a GED versus a high school diploma varies across different institutions:
Employers
Many employers view these achievements equally when it comes to a GED vs. a high school diploma, and getting a GED can lead to a higher salary. Employers can accept GEDs as an equivalent alternative to a high school diploma, but some employers view GEDs skeptically. A diploma is often viewed as a sign of long-term commitment and academic follow-through. However, when it comes time to apply for jobs, employers aren’t looking at the name of the school you graduated from; they just want to know you graduated!
Colleges
Most colleges and employers see the GED and a high school diploma as the same. Coupling your GED with a decent ACT or SAT score will improve your chances of getting accepted into a top school. About 98% of colleges in the United States accept the GED for enrollment. Colleges can all have different admissions requirements. However, depending on the type of program you want to enroll in or the school’s requirements, you may need to take additional steps to qualify for enrollment. For example, some schools may require you to take additional placement tests to ensure you can pass your college level courses. GED holders may face remedial coursework and additional requirements, while diploma holders are more likely to enroll and graduate.
Military
Branches of the Military still prefer high school graduates over GED recipients. The military requires recruits to have either a GED or high school diploma to qualify. However, there are fewer spots available to those who have a GED versus those who have a high school diploma. Diplomas qualify for Tier 1 enlistment; GEDs are Tier 2 with limited acceptance.
Earning Potential
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, people with a high school diploma earn $179 more per week on average than those with a GED. On average, someone with a high school diploma is likely to earn more money over time than someone with a GED or equivalent. High school graduates tend to earn about $11,000 more than someone who didn’t complete high school, while someone with a GED earns, on average, about $9,000 more than someone who didn’t graduate. Diploma holders earn a median of $853/week vs. $682 for those without a diploma. However, it’s important to mention that how much you earn per year really depends on several factors such as your specific job, where you live, and your work experience.
Read also: Understanding the IB Diploma Program
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Path
Deciding between a GED and a high school diploma is a personal choice that depends on individual circumstances and goals. Here are some factors to consider:
- Personal circumstances: Consider your learning style, preference between learning alone vs. in a group class, and life experiences.
- Your future goals: Do you want to go to college? Do you want to enroll in a specific program? If so, take some time to research the schools and programs you’re interested in. Do they often accept people with a GED?
- Your time: How quickly do you need a high school diploma or GED? Do you have time to do GED prep classes? Do you need something that can work around your life? An online high school diploma can offer you the ability to learn at your own pace, around your schedule, with no set timeline to complete.
- How you learn: Are you someone who can retain a lot of information by studying? Or do you like to learn in small doses?
- State requirements: Meet state requirements. Some states have additional requirements that must be met to be eligible to take the exam. For example, in Pennsylvania, you must be a resident of the state to take the exam. In other states, like North Dakota or Arizona, you must pass a Constitution test as part of your GED exam.
Online High School Diplomas: A Flexible Alternative
But in today’s world, earning a diploma no longer requires sitting in a physical classroom from 8 to 3 every day. With the rise of accredited online high school programs, students of all ages-including working adults and non-traditional learners-can earn a diploma in a flexible, self-paced environment that fits their schedule and lifestyle.
An online high school, for example, is a great option for many - especially busy adults - but people still worry it will be taken less seriously than going to a “real” high school. An online high school diploma may be the perfect fit for you.
Read also: High School Diploma Jobs
