The Cost Of More Accessible Higher Education: What Is The Monetary Value Of The Various Academic Degrees?

Abstract

One of the main reasons for acquiring a Bachelor's Degree is the perception of higher education as a means of improving graduates' financial status. In light of the increased accessibility of higher education, a growing number of students hope to use their studies as a financial springboard. In the current study we sought to examine this perception and to check whether and to what degree baccalaureate degrees indeed improve graduates' financial situation. In cooperation with Israel's Central Bureau of Statistics we gathered data on 6,091 graduates who completed their studies at the Ariel University Center during 2000-2008. Data analysis included exploring graduates' rate of employment and monthly salary from the day they began their academic studies until eight years later. We divided and distinguished between graduates by discipline and gender. The findings show that graduates earn almost three times the national average salary (and five times the median salary) and indicate employment rates of nearly 100%. Analysis of findings by discipline indicates that the most profitable fields are computer sciences and mathematics, engineering, and architecture. Salaries in the natural and social sciences and in the humanities are significantly lower both compared to the former fields and to the national average salary, at least for this eight year span. Analysis of the data by sex showed that the rate of employment among men is 12% higher than among women and that there is a disparity in employment within each discipline as well. Research conclusions show that academic degrees per se are not a guarantee of financial or occupational security. Employees with degrees in the social sciences and the humanities may find that their pay is no higher than those with no degree. One of the implications of this issue, already evident at this stage is that students are attempting to attain higher degrees in the hope of improving their financial status. The equation of a higher education with a higher income seems to involve other components as well, such as graduates' field of study, seniority on the job, and field of occupation.

Effective Regulation of the Israeli Higher Education System in the Global and Neoliberal Era

“…One of the consequences, which can already be identified, is attempts to acquire a higher degree in the thought that it may improve the learners' financial status. The study concludes that the equation "higher education means a higher income" includes additional components such as field of study, seniority, and the market to which the employee belongs (Davidovitch et al, 2013). Similarly, a study that examined differences in the quality of education between universities and colleges attested to considerable differences between the compensation received in the labor market by university and college graduates (Zusman, Forman, Kaplan & Romanov, 2007).…”

Discipline and Gender: Factors Affecting Graduates’ Salaries

“…Despite this expectation, the actual state of affairs seems to be more complex. For example, a study held on behalf of the Israeli CHE (Council of Higher Education) described the "over qualification" of employees with baccalaureate degrees (Groot & van den Brink, 2000;McGuinness & Bennett, 2007;Davidovitch, Byalsky, Soen, & Sinuani-Stern, 2013). The researchers claim that at least 37% of employees occupy jobs that do not require their current level of schooling and as a result, they earn less than people employed in schooling-compatible jobs.…”

“…There is no consensus in the research literature on the subject of gender effect, and some claim that the wage premium for schooling is higher for women than for men (Davidovitch et al, 2013), while others claim the opposite (Black et al, 2005;Morgan, 2008;Taniguchi, 2005;Thomas & ZHANG, 2005;Wood et al, 1993), and yet others contend that there is currently no significant difference between genders (Hubbard, 2011).…”

Public Policy for Regulating the Interaction between Labor Market Supply and Higher Education Demand - Israel as a Case Study

“…The more educated the society the greater workers' demand to obtain academic positions that grant prestige, honor, and high income levels and enable employees to express and realize their education and thinking and to climb the socioeconomic ranks. (Note 6) Accordingly, workers' demand to occupy jobs that require no extensive education and that do not let employees improve their socioeconomic status will diminish (Davidovitch, Byalsky, Soen, & Sinuani-Stern, 2013). (Note 7)…”