Higher Education May Slow Aging and Extend Life, Study Finds
What if a college degree could do more than open career doors—what if it could actually help you live longer? A new study suggests that education may not only expand minds but also slow down the biological aging process and reduce the risk of early death.
Education and the Pace of Aging
Researchers from Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health used data from the long-running Framingham Heart Study to investigate the link between education and longevity.
By applying an epigenetic tool known as DunedinPACE—a biological “speedometer” that tracks how quickly the body ages at the DNA level—scientists discovered that people with more years of education aged more slowly.
The findings were striking:
- Just two extra years of education were linked to a 2–3% slower pace of aging.
- That same difference corresponded to a 10% reduction in the risk of death.
This shows that the benefits of education extend far beyond careers and income—it may actually shape how our bodies handle time itself.
Education’s Lasting Impact Across Generations
One of the most fascinating parts of the study is how these effects appeared independent of family background. Researchers found that siblings who pursued more education than their brothers or sisters tended to age more slowly, too.
This pattern held across multiple generations, suggesting that education isn’t just tied to social or economic advantages—it has a direct biological influence.
For more scientific details, you can read the study published in JAMA Network Open.
Why This Matters for Public Health
These findings highlight education as more than a personal achievement—it’s a public health tool. Higher education can help reduce inequality by improving not just financial stability, but also overall health and life expectancy.
It also underscores the importance of making education accessible. If two extra years in school can slow down the body’s aging process, then investment in education becomes an investment in the well-being of entire communities.
For more stories on global health and well-being, check out our Health section on Prime Curators.
Final Thoughts
While education alone won’t make anyone immortal, the evidence shows it plays a significant role in how we age and how long we live. Beyond the lessons learned in classrooms, education may quietly be teaching our bodies resilience, offering years of better health along the way.
