Labor Market Outcomes

Labour market outcomes are the relative employment returns that individuals experience based on their education and other characteristics. These largely relate to wage returns but also to conditions of employment and wider career prospects. The outcomes that universities generate for both individual students and the wider economy are a very pertinent issue in the context of a mass higher education system. The global expansion of higher education has been justified on the basis that it contributes to the development of a higher skilled economy whilst also increasing equality amongst social groups.

There is a clear expectation amongst policy makers, employers, and fee-paying students that a university degree will provide long-term labour market benefits. This entry provides an overview of the labour market outcomes from higher education, ...