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The Impact of Higher Education on Employer Perceptions

Author

Listed:
  • Stans, Renske

    (Netherlands Court of Audit)

  • Ehrmantraut, Laura

    (Federal Statistical Office)

  • Siemers, Malin

    (University of Bonn)

  • Pinger, Pia

    (University of Cologne)

Abstract

Do employers seek to attract individuals with more education because it enhances human capital or because it signals higher levels of pre-existing traits? We experimentally vary master's degree completion rates on applicant résumés and examine how this influences candidates' desirability and employer perceptions of their productive characteristics. Our findings show that while a completed master's degree increases desirability, an incomplete master's degree is perceived by human resource managers as less favorable than a bachelor's degree. This suggests that employers prefer candidates with higher education mainly because they view the degree as a signal of pre-existing productive traits. Consistent with this, employers perceive both cognitive and non-cognitive traits as stronger in master graduates but non-cognitive traits as weaker in master dropouts compared to bachelor's degree holders. Overall, perceived cognitive and non-cognitive traits play a larger role in determining a candidate's attractiveness than expertise. This paper thus provides causal evidence on the origins of the education premium.

Suggested Citation

  • Stans, Renske & Ehrmantraut, Laura & Siemers, Malin & Pinger, Pia, 2025. "The Impact of Higher Education on Employer Perceptions," IZA Discussion Papers 17732, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp17732
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Nunley, John M. & Pugh, Adam & Romero, Nicholas & Seals, R. Alan, 2016. "College major, internship experience, and employment opportunities: Estimates from a résumé audit," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 38(C), pages 37-46.
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    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    returns to education; beliefs; labor demand; labor productivity; signaling; wages;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I26 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Returns to Education
    • J23 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Demand
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials

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