Only 18.8% of the class of 1982 had some kind of diploma four years after high school, versus 45% of the class of 1972.

相对于1972届学生中有45%在中学毕业4年后获得了某种文凭来说，1982届学生的这一比例只有18.8%。

《柯林斯英汉双解大词典》

Worker with a four-year college degree earned $50,900, 62% more than the $31,500 earned by a worker with only a high-school diploma.

四年制大学学历的员工年薪为50900美元，比只有高中学历员工的31500美元要高62%。

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Even without a high-school diploma, a black man can probably find a job if he looks. And some manual jobs, such as plumber or cable technician, pay quite well.

即便没有高中文凭，一个黑人只要有求职意愿，他仍可能找到工作。并且水管工和电缆维修员这类体力活，薪酬还挺不错。

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Many colleges and employers will accept what is known as a GED as the equivalent of a high school diploma.

VOA: special.2009.08.20

Over a third of African American students do not graduate from high school on time with a regular high school diploma, and only four percent of African American high school graduates interested in college are college-ready across a range of subjects.

WHITEHOUSE: The White House

However, we all know that in today's economy, a high school diploma is usually not enough to prepare students for the high-skill, high-paying jobs of the 21st century.

FORBES: U.S. Sen. Michael Enzi

That might be the best reason to get a diploma, but it's not the only reason to get a high school diploma.

WHITEHOUSE: Helping America Become a ��Grad Nation��