Elite Schools and Opting In: Effects of College Selectivity on Career and Family Outcomes

A-Tier
Journal: Journal of Labor Economics
Year: 2022
Volume: 40
Issue: S1
Pages: S383 - S427

Score contribution per author:

1.341 = (α=2.01 / 3 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

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

Abstract

Using College and Beyond data and a variant of Dale and Krueger’s matched-applicant approach, we revisit the question of how attending an elite college affects later-life outcomes. We expand the scope by examining additional outcomes and not restricting the sample to full-time workers. For men, controlling for selection eliminates the relationship between college selectivity and earnings; there are also no effects on men’s educational attainment or family outcomes. We find significant effects for women: attending a school with a 100-point-higher average SAT score increases women’s probability of advanced degree attainment and earnings while reducing their likelihood of marriage.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:ucp:jlabec:doi:10.1086/717931
Journal Field
Labor
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-25