The Financial Value of Postsecondary Education

Authors

  • Bruce D. Niendorf University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
  • Kristine L. Beck California State University, Northridge

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33423/jaf.v21i5.4826

Keywords:

accounting, finance, education value, return on investment, student debt

Abstract

Earning a postsecondary degree involves paying for tuition, fees, books, supplies, and living costs. While in school students forgo full-time job earnings; and, after earning a degree, they may pay interest on student loans for many years. This study examines 115 Wisconsin degree/school combinations to identify the value remaining after paying the costs of a postsecondary degree - the Education Value that is above and beyond what they would have earned with a high school diploma. We find the best combination delivers an additional $1,694,086 in value across a lifetime, and the least value-added bachelor’s degree combination still delivers $378,466. All combinations are investments in human capital that significantly outperform the long-term average of the U.S. stock market and may be the best investment many people ever make.

Downloads

Published

2021-12-26

How to Cite

Niendorf, B. D., & Beck, K. L. (2021). The Financial Value of Postsecondary Education. Journal of Accounting and Finance, 21(5). https://doi.org/10.33423/jaf.v21i5.4826

Issue

Section

Articles