Hybrid or Hands On? Students’ Economic Preferences over Study Design and Labor Market Payoffs

Wojciech Zawadzki, Mikołaj Czajkowski (), Katarzyna Skrzypek (), Matylda Jędrzejewska (), Maja Żmijewska (), Jakub Ryłow (), Dominika Gadowska dos-Santos (), Gabriela Grotkowska (), Agnieszka Różycka (), Arkadiusz Filip (), Marcin Gruszczyński (), Agata Kałamucka (), Tadeusz Kowalski (), Waldemar Kozioł (), Magdalena Olender-Skorek (), Krzysztof Opolski (), Katarzyna Saczuk (), Mateusz Szczurek (), Urszula Sztandar-Sztanderska (), Kacper Wańczyk (), Aleksandra Wiśniewska (), Kateryna Zabarina () and Piotr Żoch ()
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Mikołaj Czajkowski: University of Warsaw, Faculty of Economic Sciences
Katarzyna Skrzypek: University of Warsaw, Faculty of Economic Sciences
Matylda Jędrzejewska: University of Warsaw, Faculty of Economic Sciences
Maja Żmijewska: University of Warsaw, Faculty of Economic Sciences
Jakub Ryłow: University of Warsaw, Faculty of Economic Sciences
Dominika Gadowska dos-Santos: University of Warsaw, Faculty of Economic Sciences
Gabriela Grotkowska: University of Warsaw, Faculty of Economic Sciences
Agnieszka Różycka: University of Warsaw, Faculty of Economic Sciences
Arkadiusz Filip: University of Warsaw, Faculty of Economic Sciences
Marcin Gruszczyński: University of Warsaw, Faculty of Economic Sciences
Agata Kałamucka: University of Warsaw, Faculty of Economic Sciences
Tadeusz Kowalski: University of Warsaw, Faculty of Journalism, Information and Book Studies
Waldemar Kozioł: University of Warsaw, Faculty of Management
Magdalena Olender-Skorek: University of Warsaw, Faculty of Management
Krzysztof Opolski: University of Warsaw, Faculty of Economic Sciences
Katarzyna Saczuk: University of Warsaw, Centre of Migration Research
Mateusz Szczurek: University of Warsaw, Faculty of Economic Sciences
Urszula Sztandar-Sztanderska: University of Warsaw, Faculty of Economic Sciences
Kacper Wańczyk: University of Warsaw, Centre for East European Studies
Aleksandra Wiśniewska: University of Warsaw, Faculty of Economic Sciences
Kateryna Zabarina: University of Warsaw, Faculty of Economic Science
Piotr Żoch: University of Warsaw, Faculty of Economic Sciences

No 2025-31, Working Papers from Faculty of Economic Sciences, University of Warsaw

Abstract: We study how university students trade off the design and demands of study against expected labor market returns. We conducted a Discrete Choice Experiment (DCE) with students of the Economics Department at the University of Warsaw. Choice alternatives varied the share of in person teaching, weekly class hours, weekly preparation time, language mix (Polish vs. English), net monthly study cost (tuition minus stipends), and expected net salary after graduation. The DCE was embedded in a broader survey measuring study experience, time use, work during studies, scheduling preferences, and perceptions of quality and reputation. The instrument and framings follow state of the art DCE guidance and are publicly documentable. Using multinomial logit and mixed logit models, we estimate compensating differentials students require to accept (i) more online teaching, (ii) more weekly effort (classes/prep), or (iii) English medium instruction in Polish language curricula. The results show large, precise utility gains from higher expected salary, disutility from higher weekly preparation time, and strong (non linear) preferences over delivery mode and language. We then simulate policy scenarios (e.g., introducing 50% online, adjusting effort) and quantify the cost equivalent or salary equivalent levers needed to maintain program attractiveness. We position our results in the international literature on DCEs in higher education and discuss external validity with respect to a large national DCE that emphasized earnings over prestige. We conclude with program design implications for universities worldwide navigating hybridization, workload calibration, and language policy in light of students’ revealed economic preferences.

Keywords: discrete choice experiment; higher education; hybrid/online vs. in-person; language of instruction; student workload; willingness-to-pay (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C25 C83 D12 I21 I23 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 35 pages
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:war:wpaper:2025-31

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