Honors Associate
2010-2011
University of Maine ’10
B.A. Financial Economics
Learning new skills of any kind, playing guitar, experiencing ocean coasts, skiing on fresh powder, public policy, finance, outdoor recreation and conservation
Enjoying life in Maine and exploring possible plans for the future
As an Honors student:
Preceptors: Jennifer Moxley, Paul Schroeder, Edith Elwood, David Gross
Topics in American Government: Courtroom Trial
Instructor: David C. Hillman
The College Wage Premium in Maine and Massachusetts
Advisor: Todd Gabe
My thesis used regression analysis to estimate the college wage premium in Maine and Massachusetts. It also estimated the percentage point difference between the college wage premium in Maine and Massachusetts. Jacob Mincer’s model of the effect of education on wages provided the foundation for four econometric models. The econometric models were used to analyze data from the 2007 American Community Survey. The analysis found a 37.37% college wage premium in Maine, and a 41.83% college wage premium in Massachusetts. The analysis estimated that the college wage premium was 4.46 percentage points higher in Massachusetts. Hypothesis testing led to the conclusion that educational attainment has a statistically significant effect on hourly wages in Maine and Massachusetts. And, it led to the conclusion that Massachusetts has a higher 4-year college wage premium than Maine. Further analysis should control for the effect of occupation on wages and look for reasons why the college wage premium is higher in Massachusetts.
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