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The document explains what a diploma represents versus what the GED exams measure, and how each credential may be recognized by foreign governments. It also covers differences in subject coverage, college admissions and placement outcomes, job opportunities and employer perceptions, and longer-term earnings. Finally, it explains why the High School Completion Plus program at Seattle Colleges may provide a diploma while enabling an Associate’s Degree.",{"@graph":69,"@context":122},[70,84,105],{"@type":71,"itemListElement":72},"BreadcrumbList",[73,77,79,82],{"item":74,"name":75,"@type":76,"position":8},"https://docshare.wps.com","Home","ListItem",{"item":78,"name":9,"@type":76,"position":14},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/",{"item":80,"name":20,"@type":76,"position":81},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/exam/",3,{"item":83,"name":65,"@type":76,"position":19},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/high-school-diploma-vs-ged-frequently-asked-questions/263696/",{"url":83,"name":65,"@type":85,"image":86,"author":91,"headline":65,"publisher":94,"fileFormat":97,"inLanguage":63,"description":67,"dateModified":98,"datePublished":99,"encodingFormat":97,"isAccessibleForFree":100,"interactionStatistic":101},"DigitalDocument",{"url":87,"@type":88,"width":89,"height":90},"https://docshare.wps.com/thumbnails/high-school-diploma-vs-ged-frequently-asked-questions/263696.png","ImageObject",300,407,{"name":92,"@type":93},"Arica Lee","Person",{"url":74,"name":95,"@type":96},"DocShare","Organization","application/pdf","2026-10-21","2026-09-14",true,{"@type":102,"interactionType":103,"userInteractionCount":44},"InteractionCounter",{"@type":104},"ViewAction",{"@type":106,"mainEntity":107},"FAQPage",[108,114,118],{"name":109,"@type":110,"acceptedAnswer":111},"What is the difference between a high school diploma and the GED?","Question",{"text":112,"@type":113},"A high school diploma is earned by completing all required courses in a traditional classroom setting. The GED is based on passing 5 exams that demonstrate a high school graduate-level knowledge.","Answer",{"name":115,"@type":110,"acceptedAnswer":116},"How will a foreign government view a GED compared with a US high school diploma?",{"text":117,"@type":113},"Most foreign governments recognize the US high school diploma in some way, while the GED may or may not be recognized because it is not the official secondary document. Recognition can be important depending on the student’s home country.",{"name":119,"@type":110,"acceptedAnswer":120},"What are the benefits of a high school diploma for college and jobs compared with a GED?",{"text":121,"@type":113},"Many colleges accept GED holders, but some may be hesitant, and a diploma is described as universally accepted. The document also notes that diploma holders tend to score higher on placement exams, have better college continuation outcomes, and may access financial aid more readily; for jobs, diplomas can enable more entry-level opportunities and stronger employer preference.","https://schema.org",{"og:url":83,"og:type":124,"og:title":65,"og:site_name":95,"og:description":67},"article",{"robots":126,"canonical":83},"index,follow",{"doc_id":128,"site_id":62},263696,1789372967,{"code":4,"msg":5,"data":131},{"doc_id":128,"user_id":132,"nickname":92,"user_avatar":133,"doc_module":4,"category_id":19,"category_name":20,"doc_title":65,"doc_description":67,"doc_content":134,"file_id":135,"file_url":136,"file_type":137,"file_size":138,"view_count":44,"is_deleted":4,"is_public":8,"is_downloadable":8,"audit_status":8,"page_count":14,"language":139,"language_code":63,"site_id":62,"html_lang":63,"table_of_contents":140,"faqs":141,"seo_title":142,"seo_description":67,"update_tm":129,"read_time":24},8796096645457,"https://ap-avatar.wpscdn.com/avatar/800003749518d68ffe3?x-image-process=image/resize,m_fixed,w_180,h_180&k=1779345340919836971","International students and parents occasionally ask about the GED test in the USA and how it compares to a high school diploma. The following Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) are designed to provide clarification on this issue.  \nWhat is the difference between a high school diploma and General Educational Development (GED)?  \nA high school diploma signifies that the student has attended and successfully completed all required courses in a traditional classroom setting. The GED is a set of 5 exams that determines whether the test-taker has a high school graduate’s level of knowledge. Receiving a high school diploma is the more common educational path for the average student, while the GED is generally obtained by those who left high school due to family obligations or other personal issues and therefore could not complete the high school program.  \nHow will my country view a GED versus an actual high school diploma?  \nThe US high school diploma is the official credential awarded when a student completes secondary education in the United States. Most foreign governments recognize the U.S. high school diploma in some way, but mayor may not recognize the GED since it is not the ‘official’ secondary document. Recognition of the diploma by a student’s home country could be very important, depending on where they are from. A student is much safer earning the diploma rather than earning the GED.  \nDo course subjects vary between the two?  \nRequired coursework in high school includes reading, writing, social studies, math, and science. These same topics are covered in the GED exam. High school also offers the opportunity to take coursework in other areas of interest including music, art, or foreign language studies. It is important to note that the completion of highschool also provides experiences (both mentally and socially) to create a more well-rounded skills set that will better prepare you for university life and beyond.  \nWhat is the benefit of having a high school diploma when applying for admittance into a US university?  \nWhile many four-year colleges and universities will accept students with a GED, others may be more hesitant. A high school diploma is universally accepted at colleges and universities. Students who have a diploma and have demonstrated good grades will often be eligible for financial aid that individuals with a GED cannot get. Inmost instances, a diploma will be viewed as superior.  \nHow will this decision affect me once I’ve been accepted into college or university?  \nStudies show that high school diploma holders are more prepared for college and score higher on placement exams. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, less than 5% of GED holders will actually receive a Bachelor’s Degree i. 77% of students with a GED do not continue past the first semester of college ii.  \nWhat is the benefit of having a high school diploma when applying for jobs?  \nA high school diploma will allow you to operate in many entry-level positions. Generally, those with diplomas will earn significantly more than those without. In labor industries, a GED is often seen as the equivalent to a diploma. However, some employers will see the GED as an indicator that the applicant lacks the ability to complete a program – a negative mark on your application. For example, if two applicants are equally qualified, the applicant with the high school diploma is generally preferred to the GED holder.  \nHow will receiving a high school diploma affect my future opportunities?  \nHaving a high school diploma will enhance your future prospects. Colleges, universities, and businesses are more interested in accepting and hiring diploma holders. Statistics show that you will be better prepared for college and therefore are more likely to complete a four-year degree, which in turn will increase your career opportunities. For those who do not wish to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree, the benefits of a diploma versus a GED are still prevalent. On average, those w","cbCaiqu8D46Q2Drc","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaiqu8D46Q2Drc","pdf",138923,"English","# FAQ\n## Difference between a high school diploma and GED\n## Recognition and course subjects\n## Benefits for college and jobs\n## Future opportunities and the Seattle Colleges program","[{\"question\":\"What is the difference between a high school diploma and the GED?\",\"answer\":\"A high school diploma is earned by completing all required courses in a traditional classroom setting. The GED is based on passing 5 exams that demonstrate a high school graduate-level knowledge.\"},{\"question\":\"How will a foreign government view a GED compared with a US high school diploma?\",\"answer\":\"Most foreign governments recognize the US high school diploma in some way, while the GED may or may not be recognized because it is not the official secondary document. Recognition can be important depending on the student’s home country.\"},{\"question\":\"What are the benefits of a high school diploma for college and jobs compared with a GED?\",\"answer\":\"Many colleges accept GED holders, but some may be hesitant, and a diploma is described as universally accepted. The document also notes that diploma holders tend to score higher on placement exams, have better college continuation outcomes, and may access financial aid more readily; for jobs, diplomas can enable more entry-level opportunities and stronger employer preference.\"}]","High School Diploma vs GED - Frequently Asked Questions | PDF"]