ERIC Number: EJ804968
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2008-Oct
Pages: 15
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0272-7757
EISSN: N/A
College Quality and Early Adult Outcomes
Long, Mark C.
Economics of Education Review, v27 n5 p588-602 Oct 2008
This paper estimates the effects of various college qualities on several early adult outcomes, using panel data from the National Education Longitudinal Study. I compare the results using ordinary least squares with three alternative methods of estimation, including instrumental variables, and the methods used by Dale and Krueger [(2002). "Estimating the payoff to attending a more selective college: An application of selection on observables and unobservables." "Quarterly Journal of Economics," 117(4), 1491-1528.] and Black and Smith [(2004). "How robust is the evidence on the effects of college quality? Evidence from matching." "Journal of Econometrics," 121, 99-124.]. I find that college quality does have positive significant effects on most outcomes studied using OLS. While there is some evidence of positive selection bias in the OLS results, the alternative methods rarely produce findings that are significantly different from the OLS estimates. Furthermore, alternative methods have their own limitations, which are discussed. Across methods of estimation, there is solid evidence of positive effects of college quality on college graduation and household income, and weaker evidence of effects on hourly wages. (Contains 6 tables.)
Descriptors: Educational Quality, Outcomes of Education, Young Adults, Least Squares Statistics, Computation, Statistical Bias, Graduation, Education Work Relationship, Income
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A