Abstract
There is widespread support for expanding access to universities for under-represented groups, such as students from lower socio-economic backgrounds and older students, because of the higher rates of return to university degrees. This study examines whether this assumption holds true for mature-aged graduates who have received their degrees in an era of mass participation. Using data from Australia, where around a quarter of university students are now over 25 years of age, the returns to higher education of mature-aged and younger graduates between 2001 and 2009 were compared. It was found that mature-aged graduates are more likely to reside in less-advantaged areas and to be the first person in their family to attend university but are less likely to be employed in the year before graduation, compared to younger graduates. However, in the year after graduation, employment status and earnings do not differ significantly for graduates regardless of their age at graduation.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1634-1648 |
| Number of pages | 15 |
| Journal | Studies in Higher Education |
| Volume | 39 |
| Issue number | 9 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2014 |
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Returns to education for those returning to education: evidence from Australia. / CHESTERS, Jenny; WATSON, Louise.
In: Studies in Higher Education, Vol. 39, No. 9, 2014, p. 1634-1648.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
TY - JOUR
T1 - Returns to education for those returning to education: evidence from Australia
AU - CHESTERS, Jenny
AU - WATSON, Louise
PY - 2014
Y1 - 2014
N2 - There is widespread support for expanding access to universities for under-represented groups, such as students from lower socio-economic backgrounds and older students, because of the higher rates of return to university degrees. This study examines whether this assumption holds true for mature-aged graduates who have received their degrees in an era of mass participation. Using data from Australia, where around a quarter of university students are now over 25 years of age, the returns to higher education of mature-aged and younger graduates between 2001 and 2009 were compared. It was found that mature-aged graduates are more likely to reside in less-advantaged areas and to be the first person in their family to attend university but are less likely to be employed in the year before graduation, compared to younger graduates. However, in the year after graduation, employment status and earnings do not differ significantly for graduates regardless of their age at graduation.
AB - There is widespread support for expanding access to universities for under-represented groups, such as students from lower socio-economic backgrounds and older students, because of the higher rates of return to university degrees. This study examines whether this assumption holds true for mature-aged graduates who have received their degrees in an era of mass participation. Using data from Australia, where around a quarter of university students are now over 25 years of age, the returns to higher education of mature-aged and younger graduates between 2001 and 2009 were compared. It was found that mature-aged graduates are more likely to reside in less-advantaged areas and to be the first person in their family to attend university but are less likely to be employed in the year before graduation, compared to younger graduates. However, in the year after graduation, employment status and earnings do not differ significantly for graduates regardless of their age at graduation.
KW - mature-age students
KW - employment outcomes
KW - higher education
KW - earnings
KW - expansion of higher education
KW - employment
KW - Australia
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84926157432&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.mendeley.com/research/returns-education-those-returning-education-evidence-australia
U2 - 10.1080/03075079.2013.801422
DO - 10.1080/03075079.2013.801422
M3 - Article
VL - 39
SP - 1634
EP - 1648
JO - Studies in Higher Education
JF - Studies in Higher Education
SN - 0307-5079
IS - 9
ER -