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The evolution of veteran educational attainment gaps over the life cycle

Author

Listed:
  • Jason WARD

    (Economics, Sociology, and Statistics, RAND Corporation)

  • Jeffrey B. WENGER

    (Economics, Sociology, and Statistics, RAND Corporation)

  • Teresa KROEGER

    (Economics, Sociology, and Statistics, Urban Institute)

Abstract

Individuals who serve in the military substitute work experience for post-secondary educational attainment after high school, leading to large educational attainment gaps between new veterans and observably similar nonveterans. Little is known about the evolution of these gaps by age and across cohorts. We investigate the life-cycle attainment of veterans relative to nonveterans using a synthetic panel data approach. Following five multiyear birth cohorts we find that, on average, veterans close a 20-percentage point gap in attainment of a bachelor's or greater over time and significantly outpace observably similar nonveterans in attainment of an associate's degree. Female and minority veterans exceeded the attainment of similar nonveterans over time, and more recent birth cohorts began with larger gaps but closed them at younger ages due to increasing levels of both enrollment and enrollment intensity. Our findings highlight the important role of military service in facilitating social mobility through educational attainment.

Suggested Citation

  • Jason WARD & Jeffrey B. WENGER & Teresa KROEGER, 2026. "The evolution of veteran educational attainment gaps over the life cycle," JODE - Journal of Demographic Economics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 92(2), pages 216-239, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:ctl:louvde:v:92:y:2026:i:2:p:216-239
    DOI: 10.1017/dem.2024.5
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • J1 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics
    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality

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