Income inequality can’t stop and won’t stop: If the one percent is where you want to be after graduation, you probably have a long way to the top

Math is a subject that is tough for some people, like how English is hard for others. Unfortunately, you don’t have to be good at either one to notice the imbalance of incomes for working citizens in our state.

CNBC recently released information from the Ecnomoic Policy Institution that lists what it takes to be in the top one percent of each state. Guess what that amount was for Arkansas? If you guessed $255,050, you would be correct. Even though it was the next to last state in the list of most unequal incomes, the $250,050 figure still seems like a pretty high amount to reach. The states with the largest income gap Calif., N.Y. , Texas, Fla. and Ill.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median income in 2012-2016 for the state is $42,336 with 16.4 percent falling under the standard for pov- erty.

An entry level job af- ter college might make that amount, or even half of that, if you score big time.

Are the standards ridiculously high to become one of the richest in these United States of America? Some think so.

“I think that six figure salaries are almost completely out of the question,” Paco Bradley, who graduated earlier this year after majoring in intergrated studies, said. “Especially for most people with just a bachelor’s degree.”

The cost of college continues to go up along with the amount of student loans people are borrowing. Scholarships and wages seem to be going down. This makes it more difficult for students coming from an average household to even entertain the thought of “making it” one day.

“Usually people would say that if you work harder you deserve to earn more money,” Jordan Jones, digital art and design graduate of 2016, said. “Well from what I’ve seen the people that work hard are the ones who aren’t making enough while the ones who barely work are raking it in based on their position title or their privelege.”

“If you know people that could get you connected business wise,” Perry said. “Networking is a part of it. Relationships are everywhere. There are endless opportunities and what seems un- achievable can be possible.”

Thinking of cracking the one percent can serve as motivation for some people as they come humble college beginnings. Students like Makala Perry, unior medical technology major, are willing to do the hard work and see where it goes.

No matter where you are at financially right now, there will always be someone with more or less than you. If the one percent is too far for you, try setting smaller financial goals and working your way towards those in the meantime.

We all know it would be a better place if there was no income gap. It might be a lesson for the rich though. Besides, as Biggie Smalls said, “the more money we come across the more problems we see.”