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Date of Award
Spring 2022
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science
Major
Economics
First Advisor
Prof. Peter Bent
Abstract
This research investigates how sensitive college graduates are to minimum wage differentials between states when making the decision for where to work post-graduation. The results of this research may challenge the assumption that educated workers are not impacted by minimum wage policy. College graduates have higher mobility than their less-educated peers and are more likely to migrate after completing their degree. This research considers how minimum wages can be endogenous factors in the decisions of workers. I draw on the research that has been done on employment and the minimum wage, research on the migration of college graduates, and wages for college graduates. This research is presented in 2 parts. First, how could researchers use econometric regressions to analyze the relationship between minimum wages and the migration of recent college graduates using a multinomial logistic regression. Second, analysis of available migration data for college graduates as possible with the access interface. The results of this research can inform future research on the migration of college graduates, including in describing survey design that allows for more detailed analysis. The need for additional cohorts of longitudinal surveys and increased sample sizes are important conclusions from this paper. Policy makers may find this research useful when considering minimum wage policy or what policies can be implemented to attract recent college graduates.
How does the minimum wage impact the migration of recent college graduates within the United States of America?
Recommended Citation
Rousseau, Elizabeth, "The minimum wage and migration of college graduates". Senior Theses, Trinity College, Hartford, CT 2022.
Trinity College Digital Repository, https://digitalrepository.trincoll.edu/theses/1009
Comments
Senior thesis completed at Trinity College, Hartford CT for the degree of Bachelor Science in Economics. Full text access is limited to the Trinity Campus.