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College Quality and the Wages of Young Men

Author

Listed:
  • Kermit Daniel

    (University of Pennsylvania)

  • Dan Black

    (University of Kentucky)

  • Jeffery Smith

    (University of Western Ontario)

Abstract

Using the rich data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, we show that several dimensions of college quality have substantial positive impacts on young men's wages. This finding is robust to a wide array of alternative specifications. Controlling for ability reveals that sorting of more able persons into better colleges accounts for only a modest portion of the unconditional quality effect. We find that young black men reap larger gains to quality than do young white men. Our results also indicate that attending a college with a racially diverse student body increases the later earnings of both white and black men.

Suggested Citation

  • Kermit Daniel & Dan Black & Jeffery Smith, 1996. "College Quality and the Wages of Young Men," HEW 9604001, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:wpa:wuwphe:9604001
    Note: Type of Document - Word for Windows (v6.01); prepared on IBM PC compatible; to print on Hp LaserJet (PCL); pages: 95; figures: Tables included at end of document.. Binary Word for Windows (v6.01) document, 95 pages including Tables at end.
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Becker, Gary S & Tomes, Nigel, 1976. "Child Endowments and the Quantity and Quality of Children," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 84(4), pages 143-162, August.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Black, Dan A. & Smith, J.A.Jeffrey A., 2004. "How robust is the evidence on the effects of college quality? Evidence from matching," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 121(1-2), pages 99-124.
    2. Kermit Daniel & Dan Black & Jeffery Smith, 1996. "College Characteristics and the Wages of Young Women," HEW 9604002, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    3. Dominic J. Brewer & Eric Eide & Ronald G. Ehrenberg, 1996. "Does It Pay To Attend An Elite Private College? Cross Cohort Evidence on the Effects of College Quality on Earnings," NBER Working Papers 5613, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    4. Mariana Alfonso & Juan Carlos Calcagno, 2007. "Matriculación de minorías en universidades públicas de selectividad diversa, bajo distintos regímenes de admisión: El caso de Texas," Research Department Publications 4543, Inter-American Development Bank, Research Department.
    5. Mariana Alfonso & Juan Carlos Calcagno, 2007. "Minority Enrollments at Public Universities of Diverse Selectivity Levels under Different Admission Regimes: The Case of Texas," Research Department Publications 4542, Inter-American Development Bank, Research Department.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    returns to education; human capital; wages.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I2 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education
    • J3 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs

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