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Depth or Diversity? Examining the Longer Run Impacts of College Curriculum Breadth

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  • Seah, Kelvin

    (National University of Singapore)

  • Pan, Jessica

    (National University of Singapore)

  • Tan, Poh Lin

    (National University of Singapore)

Abstract

Existing research suggests that broad versus specialized university curricula does not significantly lead to differences in earnings and unemployment outcomes shortly after graduation. This paper builds on previous work by examining the impact of curriculum breadth on medium-term labor market outcomes, up to six years after students have graduated. Exploiting a unique episode in the history of the National University of Singapore, in which a university-wide revision in graduation requirements in 2007 prompted students in a large faculty to unexpectedly read a more specialized curriculum, we find, using a difference-in-differences approach, that while taking a more specialized curriculum does not initially affect labor earnings shortly after graduation, its effect becomes negative and increases with work experience. We find no evidence that lower earnings are due to a lower propensity to switch jobs, suggesting weaker within-firm earnings trajectories among more specialized graduates.

Suggested Citation

  • Seah, Kelvin & Pan, Jessica & Tan, Poh Lin, 2025. "Depth or Diversity? Examining the Longer Run Impacts of College Curriculum Breadth," IZA Discussion Papers 18067, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp18067
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    11. David J Deming & Kadeem Noray, 2020. "Earnings Dynamics, Changing Job Skills, and STEM Careers," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 135(4), pages 1965-2005.
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    JEL classification:

    • 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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