Most people are brought up around the idea that a college education is vital for a successful future. More often then not, the idea of heightened income is used to reinforce this idea. Study after study shows that college degrees are linked with a higher gross income and economic stability. But this raises an obvious question. Does money constitute true success? What good is all the money and stability in the world if it doesn't produce happiness or good health? Fortunately, recent studies have shown some incredible correlations between health and happiness and acquiring a bachelor's degree. Even in cases where the financial promises never panned out, it's common for college graduates to receive some sort of health and happiness benefit. Here are four beneficial derivatives of a bachelors degree that don't come back to finances.

College Graduates are More Likely to Exercise More and Eat Smarter:
The United States is currently facing an obesity epidemic. A third of the nation is obese with two thirds being overweight. With such a ubiquitous problem, it would be incredible to discover a group that was significantly less prone to being overweight. This group exists: College graduates.
Studies have shown that graduates are less likely to experience obesity after graduation. This is primarily because college encourages exercise and healthier dietary habits. Furthermore, people are often more knowledgeable about the causes and will subsequently avoid them.

Grads Enjoy a Lower Risk of Smoking:
A study done recently by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) found that those who had acquired a college degree were less likely to smoke or use tobacco products. This came as quite a shock to a number of people considering that college is often associated with higher occurrences of drinking, smoking, and drug use. However, the correlation between not smoking and education is significantly higher than those who haven't received a bachelor's degree. This is probably due to their awareness of the subject as opposed to those who are, by and large, less educated.

Life Satisfaction is Greatly Increased:
One of the most difficult things to measure is someone's life satisfaction. It seems like such a subjective measurement. Yet whenever someone goes out to test it through polling or interviews one thing becomes clear: it's greater in those with a college degree.
Since the concept is less tangible, it's difficult to specify a set cause for the phenomenon. Some believe it's due to the fact that college prepares people to better handle stress. Others believe that the increased connection with the community and with peers that drives happiness. Regardless, the correlation is clear.

Less Symptoms of Depression and a Higher Perception of Personal Wellness:
Depression is most likely to strike people when their brains are undergoing the most developmental stress. I.e., between the ages of 14 and 21. This is why a number of colleges have mental health services for their students included in their tuition costs. But studies are indicating that the prevalence for mental disease after the age of 25 is less for those that achieved a bachelor's or associate's degree. Furthermore, study participants had a higher proclivity to believe that they were in good health and standing. It's difficult to determine why this happens more with adults that are educated, but it just further demonstrates the benefits of a college education. 


Sources:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/01/college-degree-health-graduate-20s-midlife_n_1311006.html

http://trends.collegeboard.org/education-pays/figures-tables/health-benefits#Exercise

http://www.doctoroz.com/blog/donna-cardillo-rn-ma/can-college-degree-make-you-healthier-and-happier

http://www.lanthorn.com/article/2012/02/college_education_happiness_level_are_related_study_says