Re-assessing the impact of academic performance on salary level and growth: a case study

ABSTRACT

This study examines the relationship between GPA and salary level and growth using a unique data set of Bryant University graduates in different stages of their careers. This study adds to a divided literature plagued with issues of heterogeneity and omitted variable biases. Results of the empirical analysis suggest that male graduates with higher GPA at graduation have experienced higher salary level and faster salary growth, while GPA has had no significant impact on women’s salary or salary growth.

KEYWORDS:

• Salary
• GPA
• pay gap
• gender

JEL CLASSIFICATION:

• J00
• J31
• I20

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

¹ The questionnaire is available upon request.

² For instance, 262 observations were dropped due to missing GPAs and 432 observations were dropped due to missing earnings for individuals who reported that they were currently in the labour force.