For the 49th time in Southwest Minnesota State University history, students celebrated the ultimate educational accomplishment — receiving a college degree.

This time 469 out of an eligible 669 students participated in the commencement ceremony.

SMSU Student Association President Ashanti Payne told his fellow graduates that “we represent a rare group of people in the United States.”

Payne cited a Census Bureau report that reveals only about 21 percent of adults aged 25 and up obtain a bachelor’s degree or higher.

So, is that college degree worth it? After all, most students rack up thousands of dollars in debt obtain that degree. A 2015 Market Watch report claimed the average student loan amount $32,956 in 2015. It remains the largest source of household indebtedness next to mortgages

However, that same Market Watch report also claims college graduates will earn $1 million more than high school graduates over their lifetime. Of course, the chosen college major makes a big difference as well. The Market Watch report stated the income gap between the highest-paid college majors and the lowest-paid is more than $3 million.

The key is marketability — which degree will pay off during the long haul of a career.