Research
Working Papers
Abstract. This article provides recent estimates of earnings and mental health for sexual and gender minority young adults in the United States. Using data from a nationally representative sample of bachelor’s degree recipients, I find a significant earnings and mental health gap between self-identified LGBTQ+ and comparable heterosexual cisgender graduates. On average, sexual and gender minorities experience 22% lower earnings ten years after graduation. About half of this gap can be attributed to LGBTQ+ graduates being less likely to study a high-paying major and work in a high-paying occupation (e.g., STEM and business). In addition, LGBTQ+ graduates are more than twice more likely to report having a mental illness. I then analyze the role of sexual orientation concealment and find a more pronounced earnings and mental health gap for closeted graduates.
Presentations: ASSA 2023 Annual Meeting, EEA-ESEM Congress 2022, American Economic Association CSQIEP Economics of LGBTQ+ Individuals Virtual Seminar Series, the University of Chicago Inclusive Economy Lab, the University of Chicago Gender and Sexuality Studies Working Group.
Featured: BBC Worklife and Marginal Revolution.
"Go Big or Buy a Home: The Impact of Student Debt on Career and Housing Choices" (with Luca Mazzone)
Abstract. What is the impact of student debt on career and housing choices for college graduates? Exploiting supply-side variations in college grants, we show that student debt causes a persistent decrease in graduate school enrollment and earnings growth, but no delay in first-time home ownership. We then estimate a life-cycle human capital model and show that student debt imposes significant pecuniary and non-pecuniary trade-offs between career and housing choices, contributing to long-term earnings inequality. In addition, we analyze alternative student debt repayment plans. Relative to the baseline 10-year fixed repayment plan, an income contingent plan increases human capital and earnings growth for indebted graduates.
Presentations: 2021 Society for Economic Dynamics Meeting, 2020 European Winter Meeting of the Econometric Society, 2020 European Economic Association Annual Congress, 2nd Bank of Italy Human Capital Workshop, Center for the Economics of Human Development at the University of Chicago, Banco de España, Young Economists Symposium, Economics Graduate Student Conference at the Washington University in St. Louis.
Featured: EEA Congress and LSE Business Review.
"Upskilling and the Rise in College Inequality in the US"
Abstract. This article documents trends in inequality among 4-year colleges in the United States over the last two decades. Using college-level data linked to students’ tax records, I find a significant increase in inequality in students' post-college earnings, on par with a growing dispersion in college revenues, expenditures, and students' college entrance test scores. This growing college segregation occurred at the same time as expansion in 4-year college enrollment, suggesting that increasing access to college has resulted in a more unequal college market.