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Semesters or Quarters? The Effect of the Academic Calendar on Postsecondary Student Outcomes

Author

Listed:
  • Valerie Bostwick

    (Department of Economics, The Ohio State University)

  • Stefanie Fischer

    (Department of Economics, California Polytechnic State University)

  • Matthew Lang

    (Department of Economics, University of California, Riverside)

Abstract

We examine the impact of US colleges and universities switching from an academic quarter calendar to a semester calendar on student outcomes. Using panel data on the near universe of four-year nonprofit institutions and leveraging quasi-experimental variation in calendars across institutions and years, we show that switching from quarters to semesters negatively impacts on-time graduation rates. Event study analyses show that these negative effects persist well beyond the transition. Using detailed administrative transcript data from one large state system, we replicate this analysis at the student-level and investigate several possible mechanisms. We find shifting to a semester: (1) lowers first-year grades; (2) decreases the probability of enrolling in a full course load; and (3) delays the timing of major choice. By linking transcript data with the Unemployment Insurance system, we find minimal evidence that a semester calendar leads to increases in summer internship-type employment.

Suggested Citation

  • Valerie Bostwick & Stefanie Fischer & Matthew Lang, 2019. "Semesters or Quarters? The Effect of the Academic Calendar on Postsecondary Student Outcomes," Working Papers 1903, California Polytechnic State University, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpl:wpaper:1903
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    1. Lépine, Andrea & Estevan, Fernanda, 2021. "Do ability peer effects matter for academic and labor market outcomes?," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 71(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Postsecondary Graduation Rates; Education Policy; Academic Calendar; Postsecondary Retention;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

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

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