The Value of Postsecondary Credentials in the Labor Market: An Experimental Study

S-Tier
Journal: American Economic Review
Year: 2016
Volume: 106
Issue: 3
Pages: 778-806

Score contribution per author:

1.609 = (α=2.01 / 5 authors) × 4.0x S-tier

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

Abstract

We study employers' perceptions of the value of postsecondary degrees using a field experiment. We randomly assign the sector and selectivity of institutions to fictitious resumes and apply to real vacancy postings for business and health jobs on a large online job board. We find that a business bachelor's degree from a for-profit online institution is 22 percent less likely to receive a callback than one from a nonselective public institution. In applications to health jobs, we find that for-profit credentials receive fewer callbacks unless the job requires an external quality indicator such as an occupational license. (JEL I23, I26, J24, J44, J63, M51)

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:aea:aecrev:v:106:y:2016:i:3:p:778-806
Journal Field
General
Author Count
5
Added to Database
2026-01-25