Citizenship, College Degrees, and Occupational Outcomes: A Comparison of Latino Immigrants and U.S. Natives at the Turn of the Century

Abstract

Using data from the American Community Survey of the U.S. Census from 2000 to 2007, the article analyzes the occupational distribution of Latino immigrants and their associated prestige ranking by degree status in comparison to U.S.-born Latinos. One of the findings is the dramatic gap in the occupational distribution and prestige rankings among Latinos with similar postsecondary attainment levels by citizenship status. In addition, the data indicates that for U.S.-born Latinos who have a bachelor’s degree, the return on this investment, at least in the form of prestige of occupational sector and rating, is larger than for other groups examined. The return on a bachelor’s degree for those Latinos born in the U.S, however, may differ by state context and availability of labor market opportunities.