Science education and labor market outcomes in a developing economy

Abstract

We examine the association between studying science in higher secondaryschool and labor market earnings in India. Studying science in high school isassociated with 22% greater earnings than studying business or humanities.Earnings for science students are further enhanced with some uency inEnglish. Science education is also associated with more years of education,completing a professional degree, returns to entrepreneurship and working inpublic sector positions. Primary survey of high school students shows nodiscernible differences in behavioral characteristics of science studentscompared to others