Does Lowering Entry Costs to Economics for Underrepresented Students Affect Outcomes? Preliminary Experimental Evidence

Jesse Buchsbaum, Michael Greenstone and Olga Rostapshova

AEA Papers and Proceedings, 2026, vol. 116, 417-421

Abstract: Economics lags other disciplines in inclusivity both as a field of study and career track. We conduct the first longitudinal randomized controlled trial of a diversity program in economics to evaluate the causal impact of the University of Chicago’s EDE/EDE+ program. We randomize acceptance among qualified applicants and track academic, professional, and attitudinal outcomes via follow-up surveys and LinkedIn data. We describe the experimental design, sample characteristics, and outcome measurement and present preliminary data from surveys with four cohorts. We are continuing to randomize cohort admissions, and collect outcome data, to increase sample size and measure longer-run outcomes.

JEL-codes: A22 C93 I23 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
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DOI: 10.1257/pandp.20261084

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