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Are law degrees as valuable to minorities?

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  • McIntyre, Frank
  • Simkovic, Michael

Abstract

We estimate the increase in earnings from a law degree relative to a bachelor’s degree for graduates of different race/ethnic groups. Law earnings premiums are higher for whites than for minorities (excluding individuals raised outside the U.S.). The median annual law earnings premium is approximately $41,000 for whites, $34,000 for Asians, $33,000 for blacks, and $28,000 for Hispanics. Law earnings premiums for whites, blacks and Hispanics have trended upward and appear to be gradually converging. Approximately 90% of law graduates are white compared to approximately 82% of bachelor’s degree holders.

Suggested Citation

  • McIntyre, Frank & Simkovic, Michael, 2018. "Are law degrees as valuable to minorities?," International Review of Law and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 23-37.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:irlaec:v:53:y:2018:i:c:p:23-37
    DOI: 10.1016/j.irle.2017.09.004
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Samuele Centorrino & Jean-Pierre Florens & Jean-Michel Loubes, 2022. "Fairness constraint in Structural Econometrics and Application to fair estimation using Instrumental Variables," Papers 2202.08977, arXiv.org.
    2. Stuart J. Heckman & Jodi C. Letkiewicz & Kyoung Tae Kim, 2023. "A Fracturing Social Contract? How Perceptions of the Value of Higher Education are Changing," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 44(1), pages 156-174, March.

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