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The full extent of student-college academic undermatch

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  • Smith, Jonathan
  • Pender, Matea
  • Howell, Jessica

Abstract

This paper quantifies the extent of student-college “academic undermatch,” which occurs when a student's academic credentials permit them access to a college or university that is more selective than the postsecondary alternative they actually choose. Using a nationally representative dataset, we find that 41 percent of students undermatch in their postsecondary choice. We also find that academic undermatch affects students with a range of academic credentials, but is more common among those students from low socioeconomic status families, who live in rural areas, and whose parents have no college degree. Finally, we show that between the 1992 and 2004 high school senior cohorts, academic undermatch has decreased by nearly 20 percent. The decrease is partially due to students being more likely to apply to a matched college.

Suggested Citation

  • Smith, Jonathan & Pender, Matea & Howell, Jessica, 2013. "The full extent of student-college academic undermatch," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 32(C), pages 247-261.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecoedu:v:32:y:2013:i:c:p:247-261
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econedurev.2012.11.001
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Educational economics; College choice; Postsecondary education; Mismatch; Undermatch;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I2 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education
    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions
    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality

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