Employment Outcomes of Recent Master's and Bachelor's Degree Recipients. Survey Report.

The question of whether or not having a master's degree rather than just a bachelor's degree makes a difference in the employment outcomes of graduates 1 year after degree completion is considered. Employment characteristics are examined in relation to the number of years of previous work experience. Also, the enrollment status of recent degree recipients in conjunction with their employment characteristics is considered. The employment status of master's and bachelor's degree recipients is compared by selected major fields of study and by graduates' gender and race/ethnicity. Topics include the following: characteristics of master's and bachelor's degree recipients; labor force status; salaries of master's and bachelor's degree recipients; and job attributes of master's and bachelor's degree recipients. Results of analyses of data from the 1985 Recent College Graduates survey indicate that for individuals employed full-time 1 year after degree completion, having a master's degree had a positive effect on salary. It also significantly affects whether or not an individual can obtain a job that has some career potential and is related to field of study. The field in which a degree is earned is also important to these employment characteristics. Two appendices are: (1) a description of the Recent College Graduates survey, reliability of the estimates, and statistical methodology; and (2) definitions of terms used in the report. Tables are included. (SM)

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