Question

A study showed that the alumni of a college who had grades that were close to the average tended to have higher incomes than either the poor or very good students who graduated at the same time.  Does this mean that very good grades are a handicap for those seeking high incomes?  What other factors might cause this result?      

Answer 1

This does not mean that very good grades are a handicap for those seeking high incomes.

Just because students with very good grades are not getting high income: CORRELATION DOES NOT MEAN CAUSATION.

The are confounding variables present in the study which makes the final inference meaningless.

For getting high income, very good grades are very much necessary. But, in addition, other factors which can help in getting high income jobs are: aptitude for the particular job employed, family commitments, general health conditions and above all luck also play a major role in getting high income. For example, a brilliant student may be compelled to take up low paid job near his house to satisfy his family commitment. In the same way, if a very bright student is not of a good health he may not be in a position to high income job which demand both manual and mental heavy work.