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Understanding Students’ Expected Earnings Beliefs after College at an HBCU

Author

Listed:
  • Gerald Daniels
  • Damon Jones
  • Lesley J. Turner
  • Brianna Youngblood

Abstract

Black borrowers tend to have higher student loan debt and worse financial outcomes than other racial groups, underscoring the importance of understanding how Black borrowers account for their ability to repay loans. This paper examines students’ baseline earnings beliefs as a precursor to a forthcoming intervention at a Historically Black College/University (HBCU). We administered a survey to compare students’ expected earnings to observed earnings data across majors. On average, respondents overestimated their expected earnings. These largely inaccurate beliefs could lead to suboptimal borrowing decisions, motivating the need for an intervention that will provide students with accurate and timely earnings information.

Suggested Citation

  • Gerald Daniels & Damon Jones & Lesley J. Turner & Brianna Youngblood, 2026. "Understanding Students’ Expected Earnings Beliefs after College at an HBCU," AEA Papers and Proceedings, American Economic Association, vol. 116, pages 412-416, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:apandp:v:116:y:2026:p:412-416
    DOI: 10.1257/pandp.20261082
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
    • G51 - Financial Economics - - Household Finance - - - Household Savings, Borrowing, Debt, and Wealth
    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions
    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials

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