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Impact Of A Tertiary Eligibility Threshold On Tertiary Education And Earnings: A Discontinuity Approach

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  • Martin Nordin
  • Gawain Heckley
  • Ulf‐G. Gerdtham

Abstract

This study uses a discontinuity in the Swedish tertiary eligibility requirement to estimate the probability of enrolling in tertiary education, and the payoff thereof. Regression discontinuity results, show that achieving tertiary eligibility in upper‐secondary education, increases the probability of enrolling in tertiary education by around 10–15 and 7 percentage points for students who enrolled on an academic and vocational track, respectively. For academic students, this implies 5% higher earnings for men, while for women it increases the probability of having positive incomes by 2%. Thus, academic students at the margin of tertiary education receive a substantial tertiary education payoff. (JEL I21, I26, I28)

Suggested Citation

  • Martin Nordin & Gawain Heckley & Ulf‐G. Gerdtham, 2020. "Impact Of A Tertiary Eligibility Threshold On Tertiary Education And Earnings: A Discontinuity Approach," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 58(1), pages 401-424, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:ecinqu:v:58:y:2020:i:1:p:401-424
    DOI: 10.1111/ecin.12846
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    1. Gawain Heckley & Martin Nordin & Ulf‐G. Gerdtham, 2022. "The health returns of attending university for the marginally eligible student," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 31(5), pages 877-903, May.
    2. Heckley, Gawain & Nordin, Martin & Gerdtham, Ulf-G., 2018. "Could Easier Access to University Improve Health and Reduce Health Inequalities?," Working Papers 2018:5, Lund University, Department of Economics.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • I26 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Returns to Education
    • I28 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Government Policy

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