American Economic Review
ISSN 0002-8282 (Print) | ISSN 1944-7981 (Online)
University Differences in the Graduation of Minorities in STEM Fields: Evidence from California
American Economic Review
vol. 106,
no. 3, March 2016
(pp. 525–62)
Abstract
We examine differences in minority science graduation rates among University of California campuses when racial preferences were in place. Less prepared minorities at higher ranked campuses had lower persistence rates in science and took longer to graduate. We estimate a model of students' college major choice where net returns of a science major differ across campuses and student preparation. We find less prepared minority students at top ranked campuses would have higher science graduation rates had they attended lower ranked campuses. Better matching of science students to universities by preparation and providing information about students' prospects in different major-university combinations could increase minority science graduation. (JEL D14, E23, E32, E43, E52, E61, E62)Citation
Arcidiacono, Peter, Esteban M. Aucejo, and V. Joseph Hotz. 2016. "University Differences in the Graduation of Minorities in STEM Fields: Evidence from California." American Economic Review, 106 (3): 525–62. DOI: 10.1257/aer.20130626Additional Materials
JEL Classification
- D14 Household Saving; Personal Finance
- E23 Macroeconomics: Production
- E32 Business Fluctuations; Cycles
- E43 Interest Rates: Determination, Term Structure, and Effects
- E52 Monetary Policy
- E61 Policy Objectives; Policy Designs and Consistency; Policy Coordination
- E62 Fiscal Policy