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Student awareness of costs and benefits of educational decisions: effects of an information campaign

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  • McGuigan, Martin
  • McNally, Sandra
  • Wyness, Gill

Abstract

Many students appear to leave full-time education too soon, despite the possibility of high returns from further investment in their education. One contributory factor may be insufficient information about the potential consequences of their choices. We investigate students’ receptiveness to an information campaign about the costs and benefits of pursuing postcompulsory education. Our results show that students with higher expected net benefits from accessing information are more likely to avail themselves of the opportunity presented by our experiment. Their intention to stay on in post-16 education is strongly affected by the experiment, though not their intention to apply to university. Effects are heterogeneous by family background and gender.

Suggested Citation

  • McGuigan, Martin & McNally, Sandra & Wyness, Gill, 2016. "Student awareness of costs and benefits of educational decisions: effects of an information campaign," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 68896, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    • Handle: RePEc:ehl:lserod:68896
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    JEL classification:

    • J1 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics

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