GED vs High School Diploma: Which Is Better in 2026? (An Honest Comparison)

A GED is legally equivalent to a high school diploma in all 50 US states, and 98% of colleges accept it. For most jobs, community college, and state universities, the two work the same. The four contexts where a diploma still has the edge: competitive college admissions (GPA + transcripts), Tier 1 military enlistment, selective employers, and some merit scholarships.