Indicators of higher education quality and salaries of university graduates in Russia

Abstract

This paper analyzes the relationship between the indicators of higher education quality and the salaries of university graduates in Russia. Based on the data from the longitudinal study ‘Trajectories in Education and Careers’, it is shown that graduates of highly selective universities, higher education institutions which participate in the excellence initiatives, or those awarded a special status (for example, participants of the ‘5–100′ project and National Research Universities) receive a higher wage premium for education compared to other graduates. This conclusion is consistent with the human capital theory and signaling theory. Differences in wages depending on the field of study were also found. Graduate salaries have a gender gap and are also positively associated with family income and school background. Thus, inequality in the labor market has roots both in the variation of the quality of higher education, and before university entry – in family and high school. The findings can substantiate the policy aimed at smoothing educational inequality and differences in wages.