New research from Virginia Commonwealth University reveals that the economic value of an associate degree varies significantly based on factors like race, gender, and citizenship status. While on average, associate degree holders fare better than those with some college but no degree, this advantage is often lost for workers with marginalized identities. The study highlights the need for greater investment in supporting women and non-white individuals in pursuing higher education, particularly in high-demand fields. Social mobility and income inequality are key themes explored in this insightful analysis.
The Disparity in Associate Degree Outcomes
The findings of the Virginia Commonwealth University study shed light on a troubling reality: the economic rewards of earning an associate degree are not equally distributed across all demographics. Researchers Katybeth Lee, Ph.D., and Hayley Cleary, Ph.D., explored the differences in labor market outcomes between individuals who have some college education but no degree and those who have completed an associate degree.
They found that on average, workers with an associate degree do reap more economic benefits than their counterparts with incomplete college education. However, this advantage is often lost for individuals who hold at least one socially disadvantaged identity, such as race, gender, citizenship status, or nativity. The disparities are even more pronounced for those who have multiple marginalized identities.
The Compounding Effect of Disadvantage
The study reveals that the economic disadvantage faced by women and non-white workers is compounded when they hold multiple marginalized identities. This means that the labor market continues to disproportionately reward white men, even when other groups have attained the same level of education.
As Cleary, an associate professor of criminal justice and public policy, noted, “While women and non-white workers realize greater gains from completing associate degrees than their majority counterparts, the labor market continues to reward white men with much greater economic returns than any other population. Analyses that stop at the aggregate level obscure the differential experiences of the diverse workforce.”
Addressing the Systemic Barriers to Equity
The findings of this study underscore the urgent need to address the systemic barriers that prevent women and non-white individuals from reaping the full economic benefits of higher education. As Lee, the executive director of Business Career Services, pointed out, “Women and non-white workers have been undercompensated for many decades.”
To address this disparity, the researchers suggest that more funding and support should be allocated towards empowering women and non-white workers in pursuing associate degrees, particularly in high-demand, high-wage fields such as nursing, information technology, and management. By investing in the educational attainment of these underrepresented groups, institutions can begin to narrow the longstanding differences in economic returns and promote true social mobility.
