Data link roundup: Higher Ed (week of September 13, 2013)

The week's top data analysis links...
This week's theme: Higher ed, higher earnings?


RETURNS TO EDUCATION

That higher education leads to higher pay is a belief so fundamental to public policy and private decision-making that it's rarely questioned. And, indeed, on average higher levels of education correlate with higher employment and earnings levels (at least according to the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau).

But is all education created equal? Does a higher degree always lead to a bigger paycheck? Indeed, the story is more complex...

First, The Economist explains why it doesn't (always) pay to get a Ph.D.

Second, this week analysis published by Anthony Carnevale, an economist at Georgetown University, shows that not all majors are created the same (at least not in earnings potential).


Graphic source: National Public Radio

DEMOGRAPHICS OF THE GRADUATING CLASS OF 2013...

Child Trends published a summary of the demographic and socio-economic characteristics of the high school graduating class of 2013. Highlights include:

• 89 percent are covered by health insurance
• Nearly three quarters have experienced physical assault
• 68 percent will go on to college
• 35 percent volunteered at some point during the year
• Less than half get the recommended amount of physical activity
• 20 percent watch 4 or more hours of television per weekday

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...

• You should probably be following on Twitter...

BEST CHART COMIC OF THE WEEK

Source: Picking a college major XKCD