PhD graduates in Spain: does it pay to study it abroad?

Abstract

In this paper, we provide information on PhD graduates using the Spanish University Graduate Placement Survey from 2019. We analyze whether studying the PhD partially or fully abroad affects wages and the probability of being overeducated. When controlling for endogeneity of the decision to study abroad, we find that it is associated with higher wages. However, the effect of studying abroad on the probability of being overeducated is insignificant. Another result of this paper is that living abroad significantly increases the chances of having a high wage and a matched job. These results are important to understand the job opportunities of PhD holders in Spain and their job characteristics.