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Competition among Colleges for Students across the Nation

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  • Jonathan Smith
  • Matea Pender
  • Jessica Howell

Abstract

Colleges compete with one another for students. This article overcomes historical data limitations associated with forming a national picture of competition among colleges using the universe of SAT‐takers. We identify and measure competition by the overlap within the set of colleges to which students send their SAT scores (Score Sends). We document the competitive landscape for 1152 colleges between 1996 and 2013 including the number of competitors, the intensity of the competition, and characteristics of a college's primary competitors. For example, on average, a college has Score Send overlap with 736 other institutions and their primary competitors are located 104 miles away and have 34.2% Score Send overlap. All of the documented measures of competition vary greatly by institution type but do not change dramatically over the time period examined.

Suggested Citation

  • Jonathan Smith & Matea Pender & Jessica Howell, 2018. "Competition among Colleges for Students across the Nation," Southern Economic Journal, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 84(3), pages 849-878, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:soecon:v:84:y:2018:i:3:p:849-878
    DOI: 10.1002/soej.12246
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Emily E. Cook, 2021. "Competing Campuses: Equilibrium Prices, Admissions, and Undergraduate Programs in US Higher Education," Working Papers 2120, Tulane University, Department of Economics.

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