DOES THE QUALITY OF UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION PREDICT OFFICER PERFORMANCE?

Abstract

This study investigates whether various indicators of college education quality affect retention and career progression of Navy officers. The cost of tuition, how selective a school is, and the average entry test scores of an institution’s student body all impact an officer’s decision to stay in the military or not. These indicators are also correlated with the probability of promoting to O-4 rank. The results of this study shed light on the value that high-ranking institutions provide as opposed to lower-ranked schools. These comparisons are difficult to make in the civilian labor market, due to lack of internal firm data on turnover and career progression. The United States Navy uses the same performance evaluation for all officers, from all schools, and all years, thus allowing for a comparison of the value that post-secondary institutions bring to the Navy through officer job performance, advancement, and retention.