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Stacking the Deck for Employment Success: Labor Market Returns to Stackable Credentials

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Listed:
  • Katharine E. Meyer
  • Kelli A. Bird
  • Benjamin L. Castleman

Abstract

With rapid technological transformations to the labor market, many working adults return to college after graduation to obtain additional training or credentials. Using a comparative individual fixed-effects strategy and an administrative panel data set of enrollment and employment in Virginia, we estimate the labor market returns to credential “stacking”—earning two or more community college certificates or degrees—among working adults. We find stacking increases employment by four percentage points and quarterly wages by $375 (4 percent). Returns are larger for individuals studying in Health and who return to college after first completing a short-term certificate.

Suggested Citation

  • Katharine E. Meyer & Kelli A. Bird & Benjamin L. Castleman, 2025. "Stacking the Deck for Employment Success: Labor Market Returns to Stackable Credentials," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 60(1), pages 129-152.
    • Handle: RePEc:uwp:jhriss:v:60:y:2025:i:1:p:129-152
    Note: DOI: https://doi.org/10.3368/jhr.1120-11320R2
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    File URL: http://jhr.uwpress.org/cgi/reprint/60/1/129
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    More about this item

    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

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