| Marcia Bellas
University of Cincinnati
Age and advanced degrees: A comparison of older and younger college graduates and the pursuit of graduate education
FINAL REPORT:
Using data from the Baccalaureate and Beyond longitudinal study, this research examines the extent to which older and younger college graduates differ in the pursuit of graduate degrees. Older college graduates were less likely than younger graduates to have applied to graduate or professional school within four years after receipt of bachelor's degree, and less likely to actually enroll. Logistic regressions showed that the age difference in application rates is explained by differences in other sociodemographic characteristics between the two groups. Older and younger graduate school applicants did not differ in their overall acceptance rates, although older students were more likely to be accepted by their first choice school. Older students probably applied to less-rigorous schools and programs than younger applicants, at least partly because of geographic constraints, and the age difference disappeared after controlling for the effects of additional variables. The apparent geographic constraints of older students suggest that institutions interested in attracting older students would do well to accommodate the work and family commitments of these students. Older and younger graduate school applicants also did not differ in the likelihood of ever having applied for financial aid. However, younger applicants were far more likely than older applicants to have received financial aid at their first choice school and during their most recent year of enrollment. These differences were not fully explained by other variables in the regression models, and age also interacted with other sociodemographic variables. Overall, this study finds little direct evidence of age discrimination in the area of admissions, but some suggestion of bias in the distribution of financial aid. Those in decision-making positions should devise strategies to guard against subjectivity in the distribution of financial aid.
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