@Data10 Thanks. A lot to consider in your citations. Certainly, the intangibles always matter the most on a per person basis. Each of these studies usually can yield at least one insight. Often the writer has bias. Sometimes the writer/data set is incorrect in their summary. I do still like to read about it. Times have definitely changed. I can’t read all of those articles.
I wasn’t thinking of Kreuger per se. I’d imagine one could find multiple studies via abstract to support any side of the socio-economic connection to income for various SES groups. I think I will read the Atlantic version as I find those to be fairly balanced and often well written.
Kids are no longer attending college so they can learn to think well. They want a strong degree that they can put to use in the working world. Yes, there are still a tiny number of kids studying for learnings sake but as prices increase ROI gets more consideration. From personal experience, I can tell you that a low income SES kid is going to jump high for the brass ring to escape the poverty they know well. That kid is going to also lean into a higher paying job. I’d like to see a study that explores paths that low SES kids take for college and why. How many are going into social work v. investment banking and why?