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Does attending elite colleges pay in China?

Author

Listed:
  • Li, Hongbin
  • Meng, Lingsheng
  • Shi, Xinzheng
  • Wu, Binzhen

Abstract

We estimate the return to attending elite colleges in China using 2010 data on fresh college graduates. We find that the gross return to attending elite colleges is as high as 26.4%, but this figure declines to 10.7% once we control for student ability, major, college location, individual characteristics, and family background. The wage premium is larger for female students and students with better-educated fathers. We also find that the human capital and experiences accumulated in elite colleges can explain almost all the wage premium.

Suggested Citation

  • Li, Hongbin & Meng, Lingsheng & Shi, Xinzheng & Wu, Binzhen, 2012. "Does attending elite colleges pay in China?," Journal of Comparative Economics, Elsevier, vol. 40(1), pages 78-88.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jcecon:v:40:y:2012:i:1:p:78-88
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jce.2011.10.001
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Elite college; First job wage; Wage premium; China;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials
    • O53 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Asia including Middle East

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