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Estimating the Effects of College Characteristics over the Career Using Administrative Earnings Data

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  • Stacy B. Dale
  • Alan B. Krueger

Abstract

We estimate the labor market effect of attending a highly selective college, using the College and Beyond Survey linked to Social Security Administration data. We extend earlier work by estimating effects for students that entered college in 1976 over a longer time horizon (from 1983 through 2007) and for a more recent cohort (1989). For both cohorts, the effects of college characteristics on earnings are sizeable (and similar in magnitude) in standard regression models. In selection-adjusted models, these effects generally fall to close to zero; however, these effects remain large for certain subgroups, such as for black and Hispanic students.

Suggested Citation

  • Stacy B. Dale & Alan B. Krueger, 2014. "Estimating the Effects of College Characteristics over the Career Using Administrative Earnings Data," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 49(2), pages 323-358.
    • Handle: RePEc:uwp:jhriss:v:49:y:2014:ii:1:p:323-358
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    References listed on IDEAS

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