Graduate education attainment and salary: An examination of institutional type, major choice, gender, race/ethnicity, parental education and work experience differences

This study investigated two major sources of influence (institution and individual characteristics) on the earnings of graduate degree recipients. These factors have been shown in previous research to influence the initial earnings of graduates at the undergraduate level. This research seeks to build on previous studies by Perna (2003, 2005) that focused on the benefits of education to undergraduate students based on racial and gender differences and Strayhorn (2008) that focused on the relationship between African American graduates from an Historical Black College or University (HBCU) and the graduates economic outcomes (i.e. occupational status, and job satisfaction). This study is designed to extend this line of inquiry by examining the salary of 1993 baccalaureate graduates who attained a graduate degree by 2003, ten years after earning a bachelor's degree. Descriptive and multiple regression analyses were used to explore institutional type, major choice, gender, race/ethnicity, parental education and work experience using the Baccalaureate and Beyond (B&B 93/03) survey.Major findings of institutional characteristics revealed higher salaries for individuals who attained a graduate degree. Attending a private institution and majoring in a STEM graduate program were also found to be positive salary determinants. Individual characteristics indicated that men earned higher salaries than females across all variables. For example, on average, women earned almost...