The Impact of Ideological and Political Education in Higher Education on Individual Subjective Career Success: An Empirical Study Based on CFPS (2020)

Abstract

Ideological and Political Education (IPE) in higher education is a key course for fulfilling the fundamental task of moral education. Using individual-level data from the 2020 China Family Panel Studies (CFPS), this study employs a binary logit model to examine the effects of IPE on individuals’ subjective career success (SCS), including intrinsic and extrinsic dimensions. The results show that IPE significantly shapes both dimensions of SCS, while the influence on extrinsic success is comparatively weaker. Building on the benchmark regression, this study further explores the role of higher education reform and variations in IPE systems across institutions, and conducts heterogeneity analyses based on Party membership, Internet participation, marital status, and family size. The findings indicate that the effectiveness of IPE is sensitive to heterogeneous factors, particularly family-related conditions. Overall, IPE exerts a stronger influence on intrinsic career success, and theoretically oriented IPE approaches are more effective in fostering intrinsic success.