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Better outcomes without increased costs? Effects of Georgia’s University System consolidations

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  • Russell, Lauren

Abstract

Declining state appropriations for higher education have prompted consolidations within numerous public university systems. Using administrative data from the University System of Georgia, I investigate the effects of recent consolidations on educational quality and efficiency. Comparing cohorts matriculating after consolidations to similar cohorts at non-consolidated institutions reveals that consolidation increases retention rates and the fraction of students graduating on-time with four-year degrees. Spending data and conversations with USG administrators suggest that increased spending on academic support (advising), made possible by economies of scale in student services, are likely responsible for the gains.

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  • Russell, Lauren, 2019. "Better outcomes without increased costs? Effects of Georgia’s University System consolidations," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 122-135.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecoedu:v:68:y:2019:i:c:p:122-135
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econedurev.2018.12.006
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Lauren Russell, 2021. "Price Effects of Nonprofit College and University Mergers," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 103(1), pages 88-101, March.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Higher education consolidation; College mergers; Higher education finance;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H4 - Public Economics - - Publicly Provided Goods
    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions
    • L3 - Industrial Organization - - Nonprofit Organizations and Public Enterprise

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