Final answer:
False, it is not more cost-effective for firms to hire high-school graduates because the market-level salary of college graduates is higher.
Step-by-step explanation:
False, it is not more cost-effective for firms to hire high-school graduates just because the market-level salary of college graduates is higher. The wage gap between college graduates and high-school graduates has actually widened over the years.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the income difference between college graduates and high-school graduates has increased. In 1980, a college graduate earned about 30% more than a high school graduate with comparable job experience, but by 2014, a college graduate earned about 66% more than a comparable high school graduate.
Therefore, hiring college graduates can be seen as a worthwhile investment for firms, as they are more likely to have higher skills and qualifications that justify their higher salaries.