We use a representative sample of Italian graduates drawn from the Consorzio AlmaLaurea to assess the impact of individual and family characteristics, university inputs and the labour market on the time taken to attain a degree. Our estimates highlight that all these dimensions drive the outcome analysed. Weak labour market prospects contribute particularly to length time to degree. Our results suggest that a comprehensive policy intervention is needed to increase the number of students graduating within the minimum period.tertiary education, time to degree, labour market,
Exploiting the human capital versus screening hypothesis frameworks, this paper studies the link between delayed graduation and overeducation, and their effect on wages, by using the ISFOL-Plus data. The evidence lines towards predictions based on the signalling model. However, as to the determinants of overeducation the coefficient of delayed graduation is significant only for delays of 3 years or more and also controlling for the entire set of covariates. This suggests that delay conveys a signal of low skill.
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