Agnello, Richard J., and Joseph W. Hunt, Jr. 1976. "The Impact of a Part-Time Graduate Degree and Early-Career Earnings on Late-Career Earnings." Journal of Human Resources 11(2):209-218.

The impact of a part-time MBA degree on late-career earnings for professional employees of a firm is modeled using early-career earnings as a control for motivation and ability. Additional independent variables in the study include undergraduate degree quality, field of study, graduate degrees held, and previous experience. We find that the part-time degree is a worthwhile investment in human capital, particularly if the degree is completed early in an individual's career. Additionally, the value of the part-time degree compared to various full-time graduate degrees improves as the time spent in the full-time programs increases. The part-time degree remains an attractive choice under alternative assumptions for an individual to consider when making educational decisions.

The authors are Assistant Professors of Economics, University of Delaware. This research was supported by a grant from the Unidel Foundation. We wish to thank Kermit Cudd, Assistant Dean, College of Business and Economics, University of Delaware, and the firm, which preferred to remain anonymous, for making available to us data for various years between 1959 and 1974 on 251 male employees. We also express appreciation to Elizabeth Hill for valuable data assistance and to the editor for helpful comments.

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US ISSN 0022-166X

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