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How Do Online Degrees Affect Labor Market Prospects? Evidence from a Correspondence Audit Study

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  • Conor Lennon

Abstract

This article reports the findings of a correspondence audit study that examines how online bachelor’s degrees affect labor market outcomes. The study involves sending 1,891 applications for real job openings using 100 fictitious applicant profiles. The applicant profiles are designed to be representative of recent college graduates from established universities. Using random assignment to degree type, applicant profiles that indicate a traditional (in-person) degree receive nearly twice as many callbacks as those that indicate an online degree. Findings suggest that, at least currently, completing an online degree program would significantly limit the labor market prospects of typical college students.

Suggested Citation

  • Conor Lennon, 2021. "How Do Online Degrees Affect Labor Market Prospects? Evidence from a Correspondence Audit Study," ILR Review, Cornell University, ILR School, vol. 74(4), pages 920-947, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:ilrrev:v:74:y:2021:i:4:p:920-947
    DOI: 10.1177/0019793919899943
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Gaddis, S. Michael & Quadlin, Natasha & Larsen, Edvard Nergård & Crabtree, Charles & Holbein, John B., 2025. "Missing Results of Discrimination: A Systematically Comparative Meta-Analysis and Re-Examinations of Racial, Gender, and Intersectional Discrimination using Correspondence Audits," SocArXiv nd2y6_v1, Center for Open Science.
    3. Athey, Susan & Palikot, Emil, 2024. "The Value of Non-traditional Credentials in the Labor Market," Research Papers 4189, Stanford University, Graduate School of Business.
    4. Michael D. Bloem, 2026. "Time to baccalaureate degree in the labor market: Evidence from a field experiment," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 45(1), January.
    5. Schaerer, Michael & du Plessis, Christilene & Nguyen, My Hoang Bao & van Aert, Robbie C.M. & Tiokhin, Leo & Lakens, Daniël & Giulia Clemente, Elena & Pfeiffer, Thomas & Dreber, Anna & Johannesson, Mag, 2023. "On the trajectory of discrimination: A meta-analysis and forecasting survey capturing 44 years of field experiments on gender and hiring decisions," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 179(C).

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