The Economics of the Student-Athlete: The Effects of High School Sports Participation on Adult Long-Term Labor Market Outcomes, Income Trajectories, and Goal Orientation

Abstract

Given its national prevalence, an abundance of research has investigated the effects of high school sports participation on various outcomes such as academic performance, educational attainment, income, and more. This study adds to the current literature by examining the effect of high school sports participation on three new outcome variables: long-term personal earnings, personal income growth and trajectories, and goal orientation using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health). Through rigorous testing (which employs OLS, logit, and IV regression models, and controls for numerous individual and parent/family-related factors) this study finds significant evidence suggesting that high school sports participation leads to higher long-term personal earnings, greater personal income growth over time, and enhanced goal orientation.