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A comparative analysis of the demand for higher education: results from a meta-analysis of elasticities

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  • Craig Gallet

    (California State University at Sacramento)

Abstract

Studies of the demand for higher education have produced numerous estimates of the tuition and income elasticities. Because of widespread variation in the models estimated, this paper performs a meta-analysis of the literature to uncover the extent to which study characteristics influence elasticities. In addition to being more inelastic in the short-run, the results reveal that demand is least responsive to tuition and income in the United States. Also, the measure of quantity and price, coupled with the method of estimation, have important effects on the tuition elasticity. Nonetheless, there are many study characteristics that have little impact on elasticity estimates.

Suggested Citation

  • Craig Gallet, 2007. "A comparative analysis of the demand for higher education: results from a meta-analysis of elasticities," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 9(7), pages 1-14.
  • Handle: RePEc:ebl:ecbull:eb-07i20002
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Andrews, Rodney J. & DesJardins, Stephen & Ranchhod, Vimal, 2010. "The effects of the Kalamazoo Promise on college choice," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 29(5), pages 722-737, October.
    2. Tomáš Havránek & Zuzana Iršová, 2010. "Meta-Analysis of Intra-Industry FDI Spillovers: Updated Evidence," Czech Journal of Economics and Finance (Finance a uver), Charles University Prague, Faculty of Social Sciences, vol. 60(2), pages 151-174, May.
    3. Havranek, Tomas & Irsova, Zuzana & Zeynalova, Olesia, 2017. "Tuition Reduces Enrollment Less Than Commonly Thought," MPRA Paper 78813, University Library of Munich, Germany.

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    JEL classification:

    • I2 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education
    • D1 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior

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