Two counties tell the tale of a growing education gap

In a country marked by deep political divides, higher education has become another partisan marker, with polls showing that Americans who have a college degree trending towards Democrats in their politics and less likely to support President Donald Trump.

The political shorthand that’s evolved around education, however, misses a larger point.

For decades a college education has been held up as just one entry point for those seeking a bigger paycheck, broadened career choices and more opportunity.

But in the 21st century, it’s become more about keeping up with the middle class than a path to the upper-middle — and the importance of that is growing. CONT.

Dante Chinni, Deepa Shivaram & Matt Rivera, NBC News