More than just grades: The role of physical attractiveness in college admission processes

Yunyun Wang, Ting Chen and Xunyong Xiang

Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), 2025, vol. 117, issue C

Abstract: Despite extensive research on appearance discrimination in labor markets, little attention has been given to its role in higher education admissions. This paper investigates the impact of students' physical attractiveness on college admission outcomes, using unique data from an international high school in China. Employing an ordered logit model and AI-based attractiveness scoring, we find that more attractive students tend to be admitted to higher-ranked colleges. This effect is particularly pronounced in business-related majors, private institutions, and among male students. Furthermore, face-to-face interviews mitigate the bias induced by physical attractiveness, leading to more balanced admission decisions. These findings suggest that the “beauty premium” extends beyond labor markets into education, with important implications for fairness in university admissions. Our research contributes to the growing body of literature on appearance-based discrimination and highlights the need for more transparent and inclusive admissions practices.

Keywords: Physical attractiveness; College admission; Appearance discrimination (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:soceco:v:117:y:2025:i:c:s2214804325000588

DOI: 10.1016/j.socec.2025.102391

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