Is College Enough? The Influence of Socioeconomic Background on the College-to-Work Transitions of High-Ability Students

• In Event: Roundtable Session 30
  In Roundtable Session: Access, Transitions, and Social Class

Abstract

Although higher education is often described as the primary gateway for social mobility, socioeconomic disparities have been identified in many stages of students’ postsecondary pathways, including college application, postsecondary enrollment, persistence in college, and degree attainment. While differing levels of average academic preparation may explain some of these gaps, these socioeconomic disparities are present even among high-ability students, suggesting an independent effect of socioeconomic background. While these disparities are well documented, the one facet of this phenomenon that has not been sufficiently studied is the impact of SES on students’ transitions from college into the labor market. The purpose of this study is to examine the influence of SES on students’ labor market outcomes when controlling for their postsecondary experiences.

Author

• Matt Giani, The University of Texas - Austin