Education is considered perhaps the most important part of middle-class childrearing as they prepare their children to be successful in school. Most people encompassing this station in life have a high regard for higher education, particularly towards
Ivy League colleges and other top-tier schools throughout the United States. They probably, more than any other socio-economic class, strive for themselves and their children to obtain graduate or at least four-year undergraduate degrees, further reflecting the importance placed on education by middle-class families. In 2005, 72% of full-time faculty members at four-year institutions, the majority of whom are upper middle class, There are several perceptions of the upper middle class and what the term means. In academic models the term applies to highly educated salaried professionals whose work is largely self-directed. Many have graduate degrees with educational attainment serving as the main distinguishing feature of this class. Household incomes commonly exceed $100,000, with some smaller one-income earners household having incomes in the high 5-figure range. In addition to having autonomy in their work, above-average incomes, and advanced educations, the upper middle class also tends to be influential, setting trends and largely shaping public opinion. ==Income==