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How Robust is the Evidence on the Returns to College Choice? Results Using Swedish Administrative Data

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  • Eliasson, Kent

    (National Institute for Working Life)

Abstract

We estimate the causal effect on earnings of graduating from old universities rather than new universities/university colleges. The study is based on Swedish administrative data that is comparatively rich in terms of school grades, parental characteristics and other attributes. Despite the more favorable conditions at old universities in terms of factors related to college quality, we find no significant difference in estimated earnings between graduates from the two groups of colleges. This finding holds for male and female sub-samples covering all majors, as well as male and female sub-samples covering two broad fields of education. The results are robust with regard to different methods of propensity score matching and regression adjustment. The results furthermore indicate little sensitivity with regard to the empirical support in the data and alternative model specifications.

Suggested Citation

  • Eliasson, Kent, 2006. "How Robust is the Evidence on the Returns to College Choice? Results Using Swedish Administrative Data," Umeå Economic Studies 692, Umeå University, Department of Economics.
  • Handle: RePEc:hhs:umnees:0692
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    Cited by:

    1. Stenberg, Anders, 2007. "Does adult education at upper secondary level influence annual wage earnings?," Working Paper Series 2007:9, IFAU - Institute for Evaluation of Labour Market and Education Policy.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    College choice; earnings; propensity score matching;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • A22 - General Economics and Teaching - - Economic Education and Teaching of Economics - - - Undergraduate
    • C14 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Semiparametric and Nonparametric Methods: General
    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials

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