We generate selection-adjusted NPV and IRR estimates for a bachelor's degree in the U.S. which account for time-to-graduation, debt financing and tuition levels. We find that a college degree is generally worthwhile, but the private value of the investment is a declining function of time-to-graduation. Selection-adjustments show that for students…

This paper assesses the impact of the mismatch between a college major and job on college graduates' early career earnings using a sample from China. On average, a major-job mismatched college graduate is found to suffer from an income loss that is much lower than the penalty documented in previous studies. The income losses are also found to be…

This paper contributes to the literature by separately analysing the course enrolment and completion effects of vocational education and training (VET) as well as higher education. Moreover, we investigate the persistence of these wage effects over time while controlling for two potential selection biases. We take advantage of the Longitudinal…

States differ substantially in higher education policies. Little is known about the effects of state policies on the performance of public colleges and universities, largely because no clear measures of college quality exist. In this paper, I estimate the average quality of public colleges of US states based on the value-added to individuals'…

Proposes a measure of value added in (British) higher education, based on earning differentials between graduates and nongraduates. Calculates a monetary measurement of value for each different class of degree. This enables researchers to estimate the social-return rate of different degree classes and provides a performance indicator for resource…

Examines higher education's costs and economic benefits, as perceived by final-form secondary students in Cyprus. Investigates the main influences on students' expected lifetime earnings. The findings support human capital theory. College-bound students expected their lifetime earnings to increase considerably. In comparison, labor market entrants…

Uses a survey of (British) college graduates from two cohort years (1985 and 1990) to examine determinants of overeducation (mismatch for jobs requiring degrees). Cross-sectional measures of mismatch obscure significant changes for individuals over time. Job satisfaction and earnings are significantly adversely affected by mismatch. (23…

Investigates education and earnings for 3,709 residents of rural China. Education was significantly related to earnings; an additional year of schooling raised residents' earnings by 4.8 yuan monthly. The earnings effect was stronger for males and in economically advanced areas. Average private rate of return to education was 4.8%. Contains 26…

Estimates male-female earnings differentials for a 1979 sample of employed university graduates in Egypt. Just over 25 percent of the gross earnings differential between men and women remains "unexplained." This differential, usually attributed to discrimination, is small compared with results obtained from other countries. (Contains 46…

Examines the scale and determinants of alumni giving, using datasets from two public-sector UK universities. Considers the importance of alumni giving as revenue and performance measures, comparing UK with U.S. alumni behaviors. Women are more likely to give; high-income grads, particularly lawyers, give greater amounts. (Contains 35 references.)…

Using data from the National Longitudinal Survey Youth Cohort, estimates probability of drug use (illicit drugs, hard drugs, and marijuana only) across racial groups in relation to formal educational attainment. Adolescent drug use (in all three categories) reduces their educational attainment by about 1 year. (Contains 21 references.) (MLH)

Considers the variation in wage differentials by educational attainment level in Japan. Although Japanese wage structure is moving in a comparatively steady manner, the wage differential between college and junior college graduates among male workers has become wider since 1976. This phenomenon is explained mainly by changes in labor supply. (MLH)

Examines education's influences on Canada's employment, wages, and industrial production, using 1990 cross-sectional, provincially grouped statistical data. Workers disaggregated by educational attainment are substitutes for one another. Capital and all labor groups disaggregated by education are complements. Earnings differentials between better-…

Educational cost-benefit analysis, as practiced in both industrialized and developing nations, has been much criticized. Manpower planning, the principal alternative, has received even harsher criticism. The two approaches should be combined in empirically based projects that study recent graduates and chart their subsequent employment progress.…

Drawing on various theories, compares relative labor-market positions of graduates from two types of Dutch higher education systems in business administration and economics. Analysis of earnings and job opportunities show that university study generates more human capital and job matchings than higher education vocational study. (Contains 17…