Beyond Rankings: Bayesian stochastic frontier analysis of the determinants of university efficiency

García-Tórtola Zaira (), David Conesa (), Joan Crespo () and Emili Tortosa-Ausina ()
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García-Tórtola Zaira: Department of Economics, Universitat Jaume I, Castellón, Spain
David Conesa: Department of Statistics and Operational Research, Universidad de Valencia, Spain
Joan Crespo: Department of Economic Structure, Universidad de Valencia, Spain
Emili Tortosa-Ausina: IVIE, Valencia and IIDL and Department of Economics, Universitat Jaume I, Castellón, Spain

No 2026/02, Working Papers from Economics Department, Universitat Jaume I, Castellón (Spain)

Abstract: University rankings predominantly focus on outputs while neglecting the efficiency with which institutions convert resources into outcomes. We contribute to addressing this limitation by analyzing the determinants of university efficiency using a Bayesian stochastic ray frontier model applied to 47 Spanish public universities over the 2016–2021 period. Unlike traditional approaches, our methodology jointly estimates efficiency and its determinants in a single stage. We adopt a multi-output framework encompassing the three university missions: teaching, research, and knowledge transfer. Using backward stepwise selection with the deviance information criterion, we identify key efficiency determinants including the average department size, number of campuses, academic staff characteristics, and multi-province location. Results reveal substantial efficiency variations across universities, with approximately half showing positive efficiency changes over the period. The Bayesian approach provides full efficiency distributions rather than point estimates, enabling robust statistical comparisons. Our findings offer valuable insights for university managers and policymakers seeking to enhance institutional performance beyond traditional output-based rankings.

Keywords: determinants; efficiency; Bayesian; education; stochastic frontier; universities (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C61 J24 R11 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 45 pages
Date: 2026
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