Year: 2010
Type: report
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Time to completion of the baccalaureate degree has increased markedly in the United States over the last three decades, even as the wage premium for college graduates has continued to rise.Using data from the National Longitudinal Survey of the High School Class of 1972 and the National Educational Longitudinal Study of 1988, we show that the increase in time to degree is localized among those who begin their postsecondary education at public colleges outside the most selective universities.In addition, we find evidence that the increases in time to degree were more marked amongst low income students.We consider several potential explanations for these trends.First, we find no evidence that changes in the college preparedness or the demographic composition of degree recipients can account for the observed increases.Instead, our results suggest that declines in collegiate resources in the less-selective public sector increased time to degree.Furthermore, we present evidence of increased hours of employment among students, which is consistent with students working more to meet rising college costs and likely increases time to degree by crowding out time spent on academic pursuits.
DOI: 10.3386/w15892
Authors: John Bound, Michael Lovenheim, Sarah Turner
Language: English
Subfield: Education
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funders: National Science Foundation, Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, Boston College, Kenyon College, Bucknell University, Clemson University, University of Miami, Brigham Young University, Furman University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, George Washington University, Syracuse University, University of Missouri, University of Minnesota, State University of New York, University of Michigan, Yeshiva University, Baylor University, Auburn University, North Carolina State University, Michigan State University, University of Connecticut, Brandeis University, Tulane University, University of Pittsburgh, Lehigh University, Iowa State University, Bard College, Fordham University, Reed College, University of Denver, Pepperdine University, Skidmore College, Marquette University, Barnard College, Pitzer College, Rhodes College, York University, Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, College of Engineering, Michigan State University, U.S. Air Force, Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Center for Advanced Study, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy
OpenAlex ID: W2037249772