Assessing the Impact of Student Work During College

Research shows that 62 percent of undergraduates work for pay during college. While previous studies suggested that student employment in college had negative effects, this analysis shows that if a longer time frame is considered, college students earn a sizable premium in earnings after graduation, compared to students who did not work as undergraduates.

This study of a large state university showed that employers pay a wage premium to students who worked as undergraduates for three reasons: completing a credential; accruing college credits (irrespective of completion); and accumulating a record of sustained work experience while in college.

In the study, researchers from the Rutgers Education & Employment Research Center (EERC) recommended that educators and policymakers consider undergraduate employment not only as a needed source of income but also as a stepping stone for students’ future careers.

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