Postsecondary Education & Economics Research Center
Do Graduate Degrees Pay Off?
Joseph G. Altonji & Zhengren Zhu
On average, graduate programs increase students’ earnings — but the returns differ widely across fields
Recent Publications
Research & Analysis
Explore More of Our Work:
About Us
The Postsecondary Education & Economics Research (PEER) Center generates actionable research to drive policy improvements in postsecondary access, affordability, experience, and outcomes. As scholars from American University and The George Washington University, we conduct policy-relevant analyses, engage with researchers, and provide technical support directly to state and federal policymakers.