Differences in Early Occupational Earnings of UK Male Graduates by Degree Subject: Evidence from the 1980-1993 USR

Arbeitspapier

This paper investigates the differences in early occupational earnings of UK male graduates by degree subject during the period 1980-1993. We match administrative student-level data from the Universities' Statistical Record (USR) and occupational earnings information from the New Earnings Survey (NES). The paper estimates relative earnings premia by degree subject using three alternative modeling approaches to control for student self-selection into university courses: i) a proxying and matching method, ii) a propensity score matching method, and iii) a simultaneous equations model of subject choice and earnings determination. Our analysis shows that there is a substantial amount of sample selection originating from unobservable student characteristics. The ranking of university subjects based on relative earnings premia is sensitive not only to the modelling approach but also to time, showing that analyses focusing on single-year data may not generalise to other periods.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: IZA Discussion Papers ; No. 890

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models: Truncated and Censored Models; Switching Regression Models ; Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials ; Labor Force and Employment, Size, and Structure ; Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models: Discrete Regression and Qualitative Choice Models; Discrete Regressors; Proportions
• Subject: degree subject ; earnings ; graduates ; self -selection ; university ; Einkommen ; Akademische Berufe ; Berufseinstieg ; Bildungsertrag ; Qualifikation ; Schätzung ; Großbritannien

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Bratti, Massimiliano ; Mancini, Luca
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA)
• (where): Bonn
• (when): 2003

Further information

• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/20129
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:43 AM CET