An approximation of the internal rate of return of investment in selected undergraduate degree programs

Abstract

The situation of a typical Filipino household, overseas employment, and the culture of migration are deemed as determinants for investing in higher education such as in the specialized fields of accountancy, education science and teacher training, engineering, and nursing. We examine both local and international labor demand for accountants, teachers, engineers, and nurses as well as its underlying implications on the exodus of professionals. As such, the determination of the internal rate of return to investment is of crucial importance to households to fully maximize educational opportunities and for the government and other institutions to confront this globally-changing situation. Using a combination of quantitative and qualitative analysis, we compute for the internal rates of return of investment of the mentioned degree programs. Results have shown that the relatively high rates of return are incentives to practice profession abroad despite various delays. © 2014 by De La Salle University, Manila, Philippines.