Another central dimension of theoretical conceptualisation of lifelong educational processes within the scope of the National Educational Panel Study (NEPS) deals with “Returns to Education Across the Life Course”. In this context, returns to education are not only conceptualized by qualification-specific salaries and chances on the labor market.

In a broader sense, individual well-being, political attitudes and participation, social inclusion, physical and mental health, as well as individual health-related behavior are also considered, among other things, as returns to education. Some of these returns, such as physical and mental health or a student’s active involvement in society, can be assessed long before their entry into the labor market. As a result, they can also be documented and analyzed in terms of their life-course-related development.

The detailed description of the conception and design of the survey program on educational outcomes in NEPS can be found here.