Peer Effects with Random Assignment: Results for Dartmouth Roommates

27 Pages Posted: 31 Oct 2000

See all articles by Bruce Sacerdote

Bruce Sacerdote

Dartmouth College - Department of Economics; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

Multiple version iconThere are 2 versions of this paper

Date Written: July 6, 2000

Abstract

This paper uses a unique data set to measure peer effects among college roommates. Freshman year roommates and dormmates are randomly assigned at Dartmouth College. I find that peers have an impact on grade point average and on decisions to join social groups such as fraternities. Residential peer effects are markedly absent in other major life decisions such as choice of college major. Peer effects in GPA occur at the individual room level whereas peer effects in fraternity membership occur both at the room level and the entire dorm level. Overall, the data provide strong evidence for the existence of peer effects in student outcomes.

JEL Classification: I2, J0

Suggested Citation

Sacerdote, Bruce, Peer Effects with Random Assignment: Results for Dartmouth Roommates (July 6, 2000). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=203071 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.203071

Bruce Sacerdote (Contact Author)

Dartmouth College - Department of Economics ( email )

6106 Rockefeller Hall
Hanover, NH 03755
United States
603-646-2121 (Phone)
603-646-2122 (Fax)

National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

1050 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States