Merit-based financial aid awards have become increasingly prevalent in the pricing policies of higher education institutions. This study utilizes an experiment to estimate the efficacy of merit-aid awards in achieving the institutional objective of attracting the most academically desirable applicants. I find that merit aid has a statistically…

Existing studies examine the determinants of private university presidents' compensation, but ignore recent earnings differentials between public and private university presidents. This paper estimates that public university presidents earn approximately 50 percent less than comparable private university presidents. This salary discount is robust…

Examines individual characteristics correlated with alumni giving by graduates from 28 highly selective institutions of higher education. Finds satisfaction with undergraduate experience the single biggest determinant of the generosity of alumni donations. (Contains 11 references.) (PKP)

Studies the impact of the loan burden of seniors at 27 colleges and universities in 1998 on their plans to pursue graduate and professional degrees. Finds no adverse impact of loan burdens on student postgraduate degree plans. (PKP)

Examines earnings differentials across individual and institutional characteristics for college graduates, using national longitudinal data. Graduates from highly selective colleges and universities (and research universities) earn significantly more than graduates from less selective colleges or public institutions. Gender and racial returns vary…

Adult students (25 years old and over) currently constitute 43% of all college students. This paper investigates the importance of college timing in determining earnings. Findings show that those who complete college at a later age receive a significantly smaller initial earning increase than those who acquire their education earlier in life.…