Over the past several decades, low-productivity and high-productivity workers in the US and other countries have tended to invest in their own human capital by completing more years of college than earlier generations. Which of the following reasons does NOT help to explain this trend?
A) The cost of education for low-productivity workers has declined due to the emergence of online and other nontraditional programs.
B) The earnings gap between workers with and without education has grown larger over time.
C) The cost of education for high-productivity workers has increased over time.
D) The benefit associated with increased education has increased over time.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The trend of more years of college education among workers is generally explained by factors that make education more accessible or more rewarding, such as declining costs, larger earnings gaps favoring educated workers, and increased benefits from education. The increase in the cost of education for high-productivity workers would not encourage this trend, making it the incorrect reason among the options provided.

Over the Past Several Decades, Low-Productivity and High-Productivity Workers in the US