Income, Schooling, and Ability: Evidence from a New Sample of Identical Twins

S-Tier
Journal: Quarterly Journal of Economics
Year: 1998
Volume: 113
Issue: 1
Pages: 253-284

Authors (2)

Orley Ashenfelter (Princeton University) Cecilia Rouse (not in RePEc)

Score contribution per author:

4.022 = (α=2.01 / 2 authors) × 4.0x S-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

We develop a model of optimal schooling investments and estimate it using new data on approximately 700 identical twins. We estimate an average return to schooling of 9 percent for identical twins, but estimated returns appear to be slightly higher for less able individuals. Simple cross-section estimates are marginally upward biased. These empirical results imply that abler individuals attain more schooling because they face lower marginal costs of schooling, not because of higher marginal benefits.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:oup:qjecon:v:113:y:1998:i:1:p:253-284.
Journal Field
General
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-24