Examining Labour Market Outcomes for Recent Graduates of Professional Degree Programs

• In Event: 2484 - Section on Sociology of Education Refereed Roundtable Session
  In Refereed Roundtable 60min: Table 20. Returns to Education

Abstract

Education remains a key predictor of labour market outcome for postsecondary graduates. Drawing on data from the 2013 Canadian National Graduate Survey, we examine the earnings and the likelihood of obtaining educationally matched labour market outcomes of recent postsecondary graduates with professional degrees, three years after graduation. The results demonstrate that earnings are highest among graduates with either medicine/dentistry/veterinary or pharmacy followed by law and nursing credentials. Earnings were lowest among graduates with either social work or teaching credentials. The relationship between the various professional degree programs and the likelihood of obtaining educationally matched labour market outcomes revealed similar results. The policy implications associated with these findings are discussed.

Authors

• Anthony Jehn, Western University

• David Walters, University of Guelph