Yes, a new study of young people finds. by the Pew Research Center, looks at income and unemployment among young adults. Paul Taylor, executive vice president of special projects at Pew, says it’s pretty much case closed when it comes to the benefits of going to college.

“In a modern, knowledge-based economy, the only thing more expensive than going to college is not going to college,” he says.

Here are the numbers: Those with a college degree now make $17,500 more per year than those without — a wage gap that’s doubled in recent decades. Those without a degree are four times more likely to be unemployed.

One can imagine a college-educated barista, struggling with loan payments, having second thoughts about her college debt. But Pew surveyed young people, and “you ask them was it worth it, and boy, even those with debt — 8 out of 10 — say absolutely,” Taylor says. “Either it’s already worth it or it will be worth it.”