Differential Returns to Ability and College Major 5, 10, and 15 Years after Graduation
type: CreativeWork
description: This research examines the impact of several variables, including college major field, on earnings of a nationally representative sample (NLSY79) of baccalaureate and masters recipients at multiple points in time. This extends previous research on the impact of college major on future earnings in two ways. First, the empirical relationship between college major fields and future earnings is examined at multiple points in time and into the long run, rather than focusing on one point in time, usually initial earnings or earnings within five years of graduation. Secondly, to date, the relationship between ability measures and college majors, as well as gender or race, on future earnings has not been examined empirically. I examine this relationship by estimating and testing interactions between an ability measure and college major dummy variables. The results show that returns to the ability measure does not differ by gender or race but does differ by college major.
abstract: This research examines the impact of several variables, including college major field, on earnings of a nationally representative sample (NLSY79) of baccalaureate and masters recipients at multiple points in time. This extends previous research on the impact of college major on future earnings in two ways. First, the empirical relationship between college major fields and future earnings is examined at multiple points in time and into the long run, rather than focusing on one point in time, usually initial earnings or earnings within five years of graduation. Secondly, to date, the relationship between ability measures and college majors, as well as gender or race, on future earnings has not been examined empirically. I examine this relationship by estimating and testing interactions between an ability measure and college major dummy variables. The results show that returns to the ability measure does not differ by gender or race but does differ by college major.
author: Bradfield, Anthony J.
language: English
keywords: Economics, Education, Statistics, Higher Education, College Graduates, Wages, Majors (Students), Gender Differences
date published: 2010
date modified: 2026-07-24T03:36:39Z
provider: OhioLINK
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: University of Toledo Honors Theses