What demographic benefits most from a college education?

I'm currently doing a research assignment on higher education and its advantages, and I'm supposed to identify the group that benefits the most from obtaining a degree. Could anyone provide any data or studies that might help me out here?

Looking at the value of a college education, it's relevant to consider its impact in both tangible and intangible ways. When evaluated on a purely economic level, several studies have indicated that individuals with a bachelor's degree tend to earn significantly more than those with only a high school diploma. This holds true across nearly all demographic groups, although the degree of advantage can vary.

Certain research by the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce indicates that college graduates earn on average about $1 million more over their lifetime compared to high school graduates. That gap grows wider with advanced degrees.

Realize, however, that the financial benefits of attending college may vary based on factors such as the individual's major or field of study, the type of institution attended (public or private, in-state or out-of-state), the amount of student debt accumulated, and the time it takes to complete the degree program.

Intangibly, college education also tends to offer several other benefits that are not purely economic. These include enhanced critical thinking skills, better problem-solving capabilities, increased civic participation, and healthier lifestyles, among others.

When it comes to specific demographic groups, though, it is not easy to designate a single group that benefits the most from obtaining a degree. Each group may experience different benefits and challenges. For instance, for first-generation college students, obtaining a degree can be transformative not just on a personal level, but can also bring about generational change in terms of income, social mobility, and overall wellbeing.

Identifying a "most benefited" demographic group depends on the definition and measurement of "benefit," which can range from tangible factors like income, job security, and social mobility, to intangible ones like personal growth, spiritual development, and socioeconomic dispersion.

Therefore, to write a comprehensive research paper, it might be more beneficial to explore the impact of college education on various demographic groups, and how it serves to level the playing field, providing opportunities for upward mobility.