Matching in the Dark? Inequalities in student to degree match

Stuart Campbell, Lindsey Macmillan (), Richard Murphy and Gillian Wyness

No 29215, NBER Working Papers from National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc

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.

JEL-codes: I23 I24 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021-09
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-isf
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Published as Stuart Campbell & Lindsey Macmillan & Richard Murphy & Gill Wyness, 2022. "Matching in the Dark? Inequalities in Student to Degree Match," Journal of Labor Economics, vol 40(4), pages 807-850.

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Working Paper: Matching in the Dark? Inequalities in Student to Degree Match (2021)
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