McMahon, Walter W.

YEARS IN THE DEPARTMENT:

1958-1995

RESEARCH INTEREST:

Economics of Education, Human Capital

BIOSKETCH:

Walter W. McMahon came to the University of Illinois in 1957, joining the faculty of the Department of Economics as Associate Professor. His PhD is from the University of Iowa and he completed both pre- and post-docs at the London School of Economics.

For 44 years, Professor McMahon taught coursework primarily in Human Capital and Micro and Macroeconomic theory and analysis, with applications to the economics of education, educational growth, and education and development. Many of these courses were at the PhD level.

A prolific writer, Professor McMahon produced 10 books, and over 100 journal articles. Recent books include, “Higher Learning, Greater Good: the Private and Social Benefits of Higher Education,” Johns Hopkins University Press, 2009, and “Education and Development,” Routledge, 2012. The former was winner of the PROSE award for the best book published in education in 2010.

He had many research grants and served for years as the Departmental representative to the Senate, member of the Senate Executive Committee, and Chair of the Library, Budget, and IBHE Faculty Advisory Committees.

Professor McMahon has consulted on the relation of education to growth and development in many developing countries, for the World Bank in Europe and Canada, and for the OECD, USAID, UK Research Institutes, and others. He was named Distinguished Research Fellow by the National Education Finance Association and has been a visiting fellow at the Brookings Institution and universities across Europe.

Walter W. McMahon retired in 1999, and continues to write, publish, and consult as a well-known expert on the relation of education to development and a highly respected colleague in his department and university.

PHD:

University of Iowa, 1957

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS:

McMahon, Walter W. Higher Learning, Greater Good: The Private and Social Benefits of Higher Education. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2009. Internet resource.
McMahon, Walter W. Education and Development: Measuring the Social Benefits. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1999. Print.
McMahon, Walter W, and Terry G. Geske. Financing Education: Overcoming Inefficiency and Inequity. Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1982. Print.
McMahon, Walter W. Investment in Higher Education. Lexington, Mass: Lexington Books, 1974. Print.
McMahon, Walter W. An Efficiency-Based Management Information System. Paris: Unesco, International Institute for Educational Planning, 1993. Print.

VITA: