A new study from Ball State University's Center for Business and Economic Research (CBER) finds that Indiana counties with college educated residents attracts similar people and new jobs.
Researchers looked at education levels and per-capita income for each county. The report says in 2014, five of the top 10 highest earning counties in Indiana also had the most educated populations.
"The study was based around reaffirming the concept that higher education does lead and is linked to higher wages, something that can never be said enough times," says study author Nathan Law.
Law is a graduate research assistant pursuing a master's degree in public administration.
Hamilton County had both the highest per capita income and education levels in the state. More than half the population of Hamilton County over age 25 held at least a bachelor's degree and the per capita income was just over $40,000.
"We have found in the past that jobs are more willing to locate in areas with that fully-developed labor force," Law says.
Law says the study affirms existing national data showing the close correlation between higher education and higher wages.