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The Returns to the Associate Degree for Technicians

Growth in enrollment in 2-year Associate degree programs is outpacing that of 4-year institutions. Occupationally oriented programs at 2-year schools now account for nearly 60% of all enrollments-up from 45% in 1970-71. In spite of this extensive growth, little empirical work has been done on the re...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of human resources 1981-07, Vol.16 (3), p.449-458
Main Authors: Blair, Larry M., Finn, Michael G., Stevenson, Wayne
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:Growth in enrollment in 2-year Associate degree programs is outpacing that of 4-year institutions. Occupationally oriented programs at 2-year schools now account for nearly 60% of all enrollments-up from 45% in 1970-71. In spite of this extensive growth, little empirical work has been done on the rewards associated with completion of a 2-year degree. A model was constructed to compare the earnings of technicians with various levels of education. Data for the variable were taken from the 1972 Postcensal Manpower Survey. Some 9,000 respondents classified as full-time technicians were studied. Results indicated that, after a 35-year employment horizon, the internal rate of return for an Associate degree is 14.9% more than that of a high school education and 14.2% more than for one year of college. Despite some unanswered questions, the economic justification of an Associate degree is confirmed.
ISSN:0022-166X
1548-8004
DOI:10.2307/145632