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Time to baccalaureate degree in the labor market: Evidence from a field experiment

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  • Michael D. Bloem

Abstract

I study whether the amount of time students take to complete their bachelor's degree affects labor outcomes after graduation using a resume‐based field experiment. I randomly assign a time to degree of either 4 or 6 years to over 7,000 fictitious resumes of recent graduates and submit them to entry‐level business jobs. Resumes listing degree completion in 6 years received 1% to 2% fewer employer responses than resumes indicating graduation in 4 years, which is not a statistically significant difference. There is also no difference in the effect of longer time to degree between resumes listing a more or less selective college. However, among jobs with relatively large applicant pools, resumes listing 6 years to degree receive 16% fewer responses.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:jpamgt:v:45:y:2026:i:1:n:e70010
    DOI: 10.1002/pam.70010
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    References listed on IDEAS

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