The Vertical Transfer Penalty among Bachelor's Degree Graduates

• Published in: The Journal of higher education (Columbus) Vol. 91; no. 1; pp. 32 - 57
• Main Authors: Witteveen, Dirk, Attewell, Paul
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Routledge 02-01-2020
• Subjects: Adults; Bachelors Degrees; College Graduates; College Transfer Students; Community Colleges; Correlation; Disadvantaged; Educational Attainment; Employment; Labor Market; Majors (Students); Outcomes of Education; Parent Background; Race; Salary Wage Differentials
• ISSN: 0022-1546
• DOI: 10.1080/00221546.2019.1609323

Numerous studies have investigated the consequences of vertical transfer on students' higher education outcomes in comparison to "native 4-year students"--those who went straight from high school into a bachelor's program. However, the long-term labor market outcomes for vertical transfer students are understudied. Using nationally-representative data from the National Survey of College Graduates 2015, we estimate the relationship between starting in a community college (vs. at a 4-year college) and postcollege earnings and employment, in ways that correct for selection bias and overdispersion. We estimate a roughly 14% earnings disadvantage for baccalaureates who started at a 2-year rather than 4-year institution, regardless of college major. No effect was found on graduates' employment chances.