Learning by Mail: The Impact of Correspondence Schools in Early 20th Century America

Daniela Vidart

No 35147, NBER Working Papers from National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc

Abstract: This paper examines correspondence education as an alternative educational pathway in early 20th-century America. Using newly digitized records from the International Correspondence Schools—the largest such institution, with over 4 million students by 1940—linked to census data, I show that enrollment increased the likelihood of skilled employment by 6-10pp within 3-10 years, particularly among younger students who used it as a substitute for high school. I develop a general equilibrium Roy-style model where individuals sort into educational options by ability. Consistent with the model, correspondence education facilitated skill acquisition for lower-ability individuals and improved selection into high school, amplifying its returns.

JEL-codes: E24 I21 J24 N32 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026-04
Note: DAE
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