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The effect of import competition on educational attainment at the postsecondary level: Evidence from NAFTA

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  • Lee, Maxine J.

Abstract

The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) substantially lowered the trade barrier between Mexico and the United States. I study the effect of American industries’ increased competition against Mexican imports on educational attainment at the postsecondary level. Using the commuting-zone-by-state level variations in the protection against import competition, I find evidence for a substantial increase in both enrollment and degree acquisition in public two- year colleges as a result of lowered tariffs on manufactured goods from Mexico. Educational attainment at four-year colleges, in the contrary, does not respond to NAFTA in a statistically meaningful manner.

Suggested Citation

  • Lee, Maxine J., 2021. "The effect of import competition on educational attainment at the postsecondary level: Evidence from NAFTA," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecoedu:v:82:y:2021:i:c:s0272775721000364
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econedurev.2021.102117
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    Cited by:

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    5. Leopoldo Gòmez-Ramírez & Marí­a Padilla-Romo, 2021. "Some Benefit, Some Are Left Behind: NAFTA and Educational Attainment in the United States," Working Papers 2021-02, University of Tennessee, Department of Economics.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Demand for schooling; Educational economics; Postsecondary education; Community colleges;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • F15 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Economic Integration

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