Dr Sangwoo Lee challenges ‘Graduate Premium’ narrative at AERA 2026 and CGHE 2026

IER’s Dr Sangwoo Lee recently shared insights at the American Educational Research Association (AERA) 2026 conference in Los Angeles and at the Centre for Global Higher Education (CGHE) 2026 conference in Oxford, challenging traditional views on the value of a university degree.

His research, "Beyond Earnings: The Multidimensional Job Quality Premiums for University Graduates in Europe," explores whether higher education truly delivers better working conditions across non-monetary dimensions.

The “Zero-Premium” Paradox: While graduates typically secure advantages in task complexity, autonomy, and workplace safety, the research identifies a significant "Zero-Premium Paradox". Despite their credentials, university graduates in Europe do not see a relative advantage in their social environment, work intensity, or working time quality compared to non-graduates.

The Graduate Trade-Off: The study highlights a distinct trade-off. While a degree may lead to better skill utilisation, it often comes at the cost of increased work pressure and no additional flexibility over one's time. Furthermore, as more people obtain degrees, the unique advantages once associated with a university education, such as autonomy and workplace safety, tend to diminish.

A Call for Holistic Evaluation: "Success in higher education must be measured through multidimensional frameworks rather than binary employment or earnings metrics," Dr Lee concludes. As modern workers increasingly prioritise quality of life and work-life balance, this research serves as a reminder that a degree is not a universal guarantee of better outcomes across every aspect of professional life.