April 2017

IZA DP No. 10698: Does a Satisfied Student Make a Satisfied Worker?

heavily revised version published as 'The determinants of degree programme satisfaction' in: Studies in Higher Education, 2021, 46 (1), 2262 - 2278

We investigate the effect of satisfaction at higher education on job satisfaction using propensity score matching, the special regressor method and a unique European dataset for graduates. Acknowledging that perceptions of satisfaction at higher education are endogenous to job satisfaction, we present models available to the deal with this endogeneity. Our analysis confirms that a positive university experience is important for success in future employment and suggests that emphasis should be focused on the utility of participating in third-level education along with academic outcomes.