Problem on the Plains: College Earnings Premiums in Small Metropolitan Areas

John Winters

No 13970, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

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.

Keywords: college earnings premiums; college graduates; human capital; returns to education (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: J20 J30 R10 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 32 pages
Date: 2020-12
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-geo and nep-lma
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Published - published in: Journal of Regional Analysis & Policy, 2021, 51 (1), 1-13

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Journal Article: Problem on the Plains: College Earnings Premiums in Small Metropolitan Areas (2020)
Working Paper: Problem on the Plains: College Earnings Premiums in Small Metropolitan Areas (2020)
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