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The Value of a High School GPA

Author

Listed:
  • Fanny Landaud

    (CNRS and CREST)

  • Éric Maurin

    (Paris School of Economics)

  • Barton Willage

    (University of Colorado - Denver and NBER)

  • Alexander Willén

    (Norwegian School of Economics)

Abstract

This paper provides novel evidence on the causal effect of high school Grade Point Average (GPA) on the human capital development and labor market trajectory of individuals. Causal identification is achieved by exploiting a unique feature of the Norwegian education system that produces exogenous variation in GPA among high school students. We find little effect on the number of completed years of higher education, but significant effects on the number and quality of higher education programs available to students after high school. Most importantly, we find persistent effects on students' long-run labor market outcomes, most notably market wage.

Suggested Citation

  • Fanny Landaud & Éric Maurin & Barton Willage & Alexander Willén, 2026. "The Value of a High School GPA," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 108(3), pages 833-841, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:tpr:restat:v:108:y:2026:i:3:p:833-841
    DOI: 10.1162/rest_a_01422
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