Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/232722 
Year of Publication: 
2020
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 13970
Publisher: 
Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
I use the American Community Survey to examine how college earnings premiums differ across small metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) in the U.S. I document that the West North Central Division (Plains Region) has especially low average college earnings premiums. Controlling for observable MSA characteristics via regression explains some of the difference between the Plains and other regions, but large and important differences remain. The low return to education for small MSAs in the Plains suggests that they will face special challenges building and retaining human capital in the near future. These areas may especially struggle to attract college-educated in-migrants.
Subjects: 
college earnings premiums
college graduates
human capital
returns to education
JEL: 
J20
J30
R10
Document Type: 
Working Paper

Files in This Item:
File
Size
420.24 kB





Items in EconStor are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.