Abstract

EFFECTS OF DIPLOMA AND BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT AND FIELD OF EARNINGS

Dr. Sushma Jakhar

Volume: 3 Issue: 1 2013

Abstract:

Educational attainment is a well-documented path to economic success. Apart from the recognized benefits of a bachelor’s degree, research documents benefits for sub-baccalaureate education such as vocational and associate’s degree programs. This study explores the returns to education from the educational attainment levels that fall between a high school and a college degree. Using data from the 2004 and 2001 panels of the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP), we examine the association between educational attainment and earnings, particularly the role of field of training. Adults with sub-baccalaureate degrees earn more on average than high school graduates, but this was not true for all fields such as education and service. These analyses also address the role of occupation related to the field of subbaccalaureate training. We find that being in a related occupation is generally associated with higher earnings, but with variation by sub-baccalaureate field and level

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