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In Search of the Effects of Academic Achievement in Postgraduation Earnings

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Abstract

The relationship between academic achievement and the financial success of baccalaureate recipients in the workplace is the focal point of an investigation that covers the first 3 years following graduation. Employment activity and quarterly earnings of university baccalaureate recipients were tracked in a comprehensive study that merged state unemployment insurance records with student data files. Quarterly earnings were regressed on grade point averages while controlling for age, registration type (native vs. transfer), major, gender, race, and industry. Patterns were discovered over the 3 years following graduation. Grade point average had little impact on earnings, as did registration type. Age, major, and industry were found to be significant. Gender and race held no significance. In an attempt to further explore the relationship between academic achievement and workplace success, a two-way ANOVA, repeated measures design was used to examine differences in the individual earnings of high academic achievers and low academic achievers over a 3-year period. No significant between-group effects were found.

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Correspondence to Gary L. Donhardt.

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Donhardt, G.L. In Search of the Effects of Academic Achievement in Postgraduation Earnings. Research in Higher Education 45, 271–284 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:RIHE.0000019590.58766.af

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