A postsecondary credential is associated with higher levels of earnings, not just in the short term, but over a lifetime. Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce found that college graduates earn more than one million dollars more in lifetime wages, compared to high school graduates. However, many factors influence…

Many college graduates who earn less than their peers are employed in occupations that bring significant benefits to society, as well as high levels of personal satisfaction. It is not easy--nor is there agreement on how--to precisely define the social value of these occupations or to measure the magnitude and distribution of their benefits--but…

This report provides students, parents, and others with employment, earnings, and other outcome information on graduates of Arkansas's state-supported public institutions of higher education. This report is intended to help readers make informed decisions about education and career choices. As specified in Arkansas Act 852 of 2015, information…

It can be difficult choosing a career. When planning for the future, knowing which occupations are expected to grow--and which aren't--is valuable information. The "Occupational Outlook Handbook" (OOH), published every 2 years by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), features projections of job outlook and employment prospects. The 2012-13…

Previous estimates on the association between body weight and wages in the literature have been contingent on education and occupation. This paper examines the direct effect of BMI on wages and the indirect effects operating through education and occupation choice, particularly for late-teen BMI and adult wages. Using the National Longitudinal…

This paper analyses whether tertiary education of different types, i.e., academic or vocational tertiary education, leads to more or less favorable labor market outcomes. We study the problem for Switzerland, where more than two thirds of the workforce gain vocational secondary degrees and a substantial number go on to a vocational tertiary degree…

We contrast the intergenerational mobility rates of the historically disadvantaged scheduled castes and tribes (SC/ST) in India with the rest of the workforce in terms of their education attainment, occupation choices and wages. Using survey data from successive rounds of the National Sample Survey between 1983 and 2005, we find that…

These Selected Findings are part of a larger report: "What's It Worth?: The Economic Value of College Majors." In the full report, readers can find detailed information about earnings, broken down by 171 different undergraduate majors and a variety of demographic factors. The study also analyzes the likelihood that students in specific majors…

Over the years, there has been a persistent lack of available information about the economic consequences of choosing one academic major over another. As a result, students have had little financial data on hand to help them choose between majors. No longer. This report finds that different majors have different economic value. While going to…

In this paper the researchers ask how completing Year 12 and undertaking vocational education and training (VET) and university studies assist young people to make a successful transition from school. As part of their research they analyse whether those who are less academic benefit from completing Year 12 and post-school education and training…

Attaining a post-secondary credential has become increasingly important for securing opportunities to get high-return jobs in the United States in the 21st century. Students from low-income families are underrepresented at every milestone in the educational pipeline, limiting their ability to attain post-secondary credentials and break the…

Education often entails choices about field of study, alternative credentials, and the time to start and complete studies beyond high school. This report explores issues related to school completion and degrees, fields of training, occupations pursued, and earnings obtained. It also examines the education and earnings of people who obtain a…

This report examines the wage differential necessary to induce nonagricultural workers to work in agriculture. The responsiveness of labor supply to wage changes is important because the Immigration Reform and Control Act may reduce the supply of immigrant farm labor in the United States. A random sample of 931 males with a ninth grade education…

Attempts to explain sex-related wage differentials generally rely on the human capital and segmentation labor market theories. The human capital theory explains individuals' position in the labor market primarily in terms of factors determining their productivity, whereas segmentation theory focuses on differences among jobs as determinants of the…

This booklet, which is addressed to middle school and high school students, explains the financial rewards of education beyond high school and ways students can improve their chances of getting into college and finishing a degree. The booklet begins with a brief overview of available postsecondary institutions and degrees and the time typically…