Similarity in Peer College Preferences: New Evidence from Texas
30 Pages Posted: 17 Oct 2011
Date Written: July 16, 2011
Abstract
In this paper, I use survey data from high school students in Texas to examine the magnitude of peer correlation in college preferences and choices. In this survey, respondents (and their classmates) recorded their preferences for attending specific colleges, and a follow up survey recorded their college enrollment decisions. This paper uses this information to present the first empirical examination of whether individuals who report preferences for “popular” colleges are more likely to attend their preferred college. The rich data set allows the use of often unavailable information such as distance to college, and the construction of the “popularity” variable allows the use of school-level fixed effects. Results indicate that individuals with 10 percentage points more classmates with matching college preferences are 3 percentage points more likely to enroll in their preferred college.
Keywords: Demand for Schooling, Human Capital, Peer Effects, College Enrollment
JEL Classification: I21
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation