Working Paper: NBER ID: w29215
Authors: Stuart Campbell; Lindsey Macmillan; Richard Murphy; Gillian Wyness
Abstract: This paper examines inequalities in the match between student and degree quality using linked administrative data from schools, universities and tax authorities. We analyse two measures of match at the university-subject level: undergraduate enrollment qualifications, and graduate earnings. We find for both that disadvantaged students match to lower quality degrees across the entire distribution of achievement, in a setting with uniform fees and a generous financial aid system. While there are negligible gender gaps in academic match, high-attaining women systematically undermatch in terms of expected earnings, driven by subject choice. These inequalities in match are largest among the most undermatched.
Keywords: higher education; student degree match; socioeconomic status; gender disparities; earnings potential
JEL Codes: I23; I24
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| disadvantaged students (I24) | lower quality degrees (Y40) |
| low SES students (I24) | lower potential earnings degrees (I26) |
| high-attaining women (J16) | undermatch in expected earnings (D29) |
| degree subject choice (M49) | gender earnings gap (J31) |
| socioeconomic status (SES) and gender differences (I24) | match outcomes (C52) |