Performance in European higher education: A non‐parametric production frontier approach

Abstract

This study examines technical efficiency in European higher education (HE) institutions. To measure efficiency, we consider the capacity of each HE institution, on one hand, to provide competencies to graduates and, on the other hand, to match competencies provided during education to competencies required in the job. We use a large sample of young graduates interviewed three years after graduation from 209 HE institutions among eight European countries. A non‐parametric approach (Data Envelopment Analysis) is used to evaluate efficiency of converting multiple inputs into multiple outputs. Objectives selected are consistent as the same types of institution are found to be efficient in different specifications.