The Benefits of Graduating from the Right University: A Hiring Experiment on the Alma Mater Effect

Victor Debruyne, Louise Devos, Eline Moens and Stijn Baert ()
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Victor Debruyne: Ghent University
Louise Devos: Ghent University
Eline Moens: Ghent University
Stijn Baert: Ghent University

No 18908, IZA Discussion Papers from IZA Network @ LISER

Abstract: University credentials are among the most visible signals on a graduate’s CV, but it remains unclear whether and why employers respond to institutional prestige, a shared alma mater, or neither. In this letter, we employ a state-of-the-art factorial survey experiment with genuine recruiters to shed further light on this question. We find that sharing an alma mater indeed increases perceived collaboration potential in Belgium. This does not, however, translate into a higher propensity to invite candidates for an interview, nor does mentioning a degree from a higher-ranked university. The alma mater effect therefore appears, at least in Belgium, not to generate a prestige premium, but rather to reflect a narrower perception of interpersonal fit.

Keywords: hiring; alma mater; university prestige; recruiter perceptions (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C90 I23 J24 M51 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026-09
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-exp
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:iza:izadps:dp18908

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