In the study of economic inequality, researchers have identified that income growth does not uniformly benefit all segments of the population. For instance, while high-income earners have seen a substantial increase in earnings over the past two decades, low and middle-income earners have experienced stagnation in their income levels. Furthermore, this disparity has been linked to various factors such as education, geographic location, and access to technology. Scholars argue that these inequalities can lead to broader societal issues including reduced economic mobility and increased social unrest.

In light of this discussion on income growth and its impacts on social structure, consider the implications of education on income mobility. A prominent theory posits that individuals with higher educational attainment tend to have better job stability and income potential compared to those with lower levels of education. Furthermore, states with a higher percentage of college graduates report a lower incidence of poverty.