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Education and Earnings in Arkansas

Author

Listed:
  • Patrinos, Harry Anthony

    (University of Arkansas, Fayetteville)

  • Rivera-Olvera, Angelica

    (World Bank)

Abstract

This paper presents the first analysis for Arkansas using 2024 CPS data to examine education's impact on earnings and returns to investment. Average returns are 7.7%, higher for women (9%). University education yields even more: 8.8% overall, 8.1% for men, and 10.8% for women. With full discounting, private returns are 11.5% and social returns 6.6%, suggesting social benefits may be undervalued. The key takeaway is that investing in better and broader access to education offers strong individual and societal returns, making it one of the most effective ways to boost economic outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • Patrinos, Harry Anthony & Rivera-Olvera, Angelica, 2025. "Education and Earnings in Arkansas," IZA Discussion Papers 17963, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp17963
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    returns to education; human capital; wage differentials; earnings function; Arkansas;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I26 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Returns to Education
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials

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