Is A High School Diploma Better Than A Kentucky GED?

Kentucky residents have more options when it comes to high school education. Along with traditional public and private schools, online schools offer the opportunity to earn a diploma at your own pace. Kentuckians can also choose to get their GEDs.

There are more than 208,000 high school students in Kentucky, with 380 schools in 170 districts. The state has an impressive graduation rate of 87.5%.

Despite the high graduation rate, there are more than 300,000 Kentuckians without a high school diploma, GED or the equivalent. 

Kentucky recently enacted a program that waives the fee for the GED exam for first-time test takers. While the program gives many residents the chance to get their GED credential, there are many advantages to attending high school and earning your high school diploma.

A high school diploma opens doors and readies you for the future. On paper, a GED is supposed to be the equivalent of a high school diploma, but it does not offer the same opportunities. 

Here are four reasons why a high school diploma is better than a GED.

4 Reasons a High School Diploma is Better Than a GED

1. A High School Diploma Gives You a Well-Rounded Education

High schools have rigorous coursework requirements. In order to graduate, students must earn a certain number of credits in various subjects, including math, science, history and language arts. Coursework requirements vary from one school to the next, but most are similar. Their purpose is to ensure that students receive a well-rounded education.

High school students can also choose elective courses on subjects they may want to study in college or pursue as careers.

With a GED, there are no specific coursework requirements. Most students choose to take a test prep course before sitting for the exam, but it’s not a requirement. 

A high school education gives you the opportunity to explore different subjects, either through the required coursework or electives. The coursework requirements prepare you for both college and your career.

2. A Diploma Opens Employment and Military Opportunities

Many college students work full or part-time jobs to help pay for the ever-rising cost of tuition. Although a GED is supposed to be the equivalent of a high school diploma, many employers don’t see it that way. 

If you plan to work while studying in college, an online high school diploma is a great option.

In an employer’s eyes, a high school diploma means that the applicant put in their time, did the work and fulfilled all of the requirements for graduation. Hard work, dedication and perseverance are just a few of the many qualities that employers look for in job candidates, and these are the qualities that high school graduates embody.

Along with employment opportunities, a high school diploma also makes it easier to join the military. While you can join the military with a GED, you will have to meet additional requirements that high school graduates do not need. 

3. The High School Experience

A diploma is more than just a piece of paper. It’s a symbol of all the hard work you put in and the wonderful experiences you had over the last four years. A GED simply cannot compare in the experience department.

High school provides the opportunity to explore your interests through electives, after-school programs and clubs. Along the way, you’ll make new friends and participate in events that create lasting memories.

A GED does not offer the same type of experience. Prep work is focused entirely on the GED exam, and there is no room for additional activities.

4. A High School Diploma Offers a More Promising Future

A high school diploma sets you up for success and prepares you for college. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 66.2% of high school graduates were enrolled in college in 2019.

High school is a preview of what’s to come in college. By the time they graduate, students are prepared for the hard work and dedication that college requires.

GED holders, on the other hand, may not be as prepared. Research shows that only 1 in 10 GED holders earns a college degree.

There’s no alternative to a high school diploma. A GED is certainly better than having no credential, but students have a far greater advantage when they choose to attend and graduate high school.