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Post-secondary education and information on labor market prospects: A randomized field experiment

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  • Kerr, Sari Pekkala
  • Pekkarinen, Tuomas
  • Sarvimäki, Matti
  • Uusitalo, Roope

Abstract

We examine the impact of an information intervention offered to 97 randomly chosen high schools on post-secondary education applications and enrollment in Finland. Graduating students in treatment schools were surveyed and given information on the labor market prospects associated with detailed post-secondary programs. We find that students who were the most likely to update their beliefs due to the intervention started to apply to programs associated with higher earnings. However, this subgroup is too small to give rise to a statistically or economically significant impact on the overall application or enrollment patterns.

Suggested Citation

  • Kerr, Sari Pekkala & Pekkarinen, Tuomas & Sarvimäki, Matti & Uusitalo, Roope, 2020. "Post-secondary education and information on labor market prospects: A randomized field experiment," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 66(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:labeco:v:66:y:2020:i:c:s0927537120300920
    DOI: 10.1016/j.labeco.2020.101888
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Education; Information; Earnings; Randomized field experiments;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H52 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Government Expenditures and Education
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions

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