Expected versus Actual Returns to Stem Master’s Degrees: A Disciplinary Analysis

Priyambada Gupta and Seema Singh
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Priyambada Gupta: University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
Seema Singh: University of Delhi, New Delhi, India

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Applied Science, 2025, vol. 10, issue 8, 314-320

Abstract: This study examines whether STEM students accurately anticipate economic returns from master’s degrees by comparing expectations with actual graduate outcomes across Science and Engineering disciplines. Using survey data from 659 currently enrolled students and 223 employed graduates from Delhi universities, we find systematic disciplinary differences in expectation accuracy. Science students significantly overestimate returns by 58.7 percentage points (t = 2.207, p 0.05). These findings reveal discipline-specific information failures requiring targeted interventions in career counseling and transparency policies.

Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:bjf:journl:v:10:y:2025:i:8:p:314-320

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