30 Dec 2015
Report

Labor Market Experiences After Postsecondary Education: Earnings and Other Outcomes of Florida’s Postsecondary Graduates and Completers

Mark S. Schneider

Most students make the investment in higher education because they want a better chance to land a good career and higher earnings. But as they enter the labor market, some graduates earn far more than others.

This report examines the correlation between choice of major and first-year earnings among recent graduates and completers from Florida’s public postsecondary educational institutions. It finds that the payoff of postsecondary education varies considerably from program to program and from institution to institution. Among the findings: Graduates with associate's of science degrees earned significantly more than graduates with associate's of arts degrees and, in some fields, more than bachelor's degree holders.

Infographic: First Year Earnings in Florida

This report results from a partnership between the State of Florida and College Measures.

For more key findings, read the full report: Labor Market Experiences After Postsecondary Education: Earnings and Other Outcomes of Florida’s Postsecondary Graduates and Completers.

Related Projects

Project

College Measures

College Measures worked with state governments to help identify higher education credentials with high return on investment. Our work focused on jobs that present the best opportunities for students to launch exciting careers and on skills that students need to get those jobs, with the goal of helping them find programs that allow them to lead the lives they want.

Related Work

25 Sep 2015
Spotlight

The Value of Higher Education

Policymakers, students, parents, and the media are taking a hard look at the value of higher education. Which college to choose? Associate's or Bachelor's degree? What major? The research featured here offers insight on how those choices affect students' success and future earnings.
Topic: 
Education, College and Career Readiness, Postsecondary Education
30 Jun 2015
Journal Article

The Value of Sub-baccalaureate Credentials

Students, their families, and taxpayers invest in higher education for a variety of reasons. One of the most-cited by students is that postsecondary education is an investment that leads to better jobs and higher wages. In this article from Issues in Science and Technology, AIR Vice President and Institute Fellow Mark Schneider asks two critical questions: Do bachelor’s graduates earn enough to justify the time and money spent getting the degree? Are there more efficient ways to earn a postsecondary credential associated with middle-class earnings?
Topic: 
Education, College and Career Readiness, Postsecondary Education
1 Apr 2012
Report

Success in Community College: Do Institutions Differ?

Community colleges are complex organizations and assessing their performance, though important, is difficult. The authors of this study focusing on North Carolina’s community colleges, measuring the success of each college along two dimensions: attainment of an applied diploma, or degree; or completion of the coursework required to transfer to a four-year college or university.
Topic: 
Postsecondary Education
10 Aug 2015
Index

AIR Index: Can You Earn Middle-Class Wages Without a Bachelor’s?

While a bachelor’s degree remains a good investment for most students, not all have the time, money, or inclination to complete the degree. Depending on subject studied and location, those with associate’s degrees or certificates often out-earn those holding a bachelor’s. Here are the fast facts.
Topic: 
Education, Postsecondary Education

Further Reading