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Social networks and college performance: Evidence from dining data

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  • Martin, Darius D.
  • Wright, Adam C.
  • Krieg, John M.

Abstract

We investigate the effect of friends in class on academic performance in college using unique data on dining card swipes at a medium-sized public university. We define friendships by academic quarter as repeated meetings among students in the same dining hall. To identify the impact of having a friend in class, we employ models with student- and class-level fixed effects and find having a friend in class has large and positive effects on grades. Our analysis of heterogeneous friend effects reveals that the positive friend effect exists across all types of friend characteristics, suggesting the unconditional importance of social connections.

Suggested Citation

  • Martin, Darius D. & Wright, Adam C. & Krieg, John M., 2020. "Social networks and college performance: Evidence from dining data," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecoedu:v:79:y:2020:i:c:s0272775720305495
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econedurev.2020.102063
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    Cited by:

    1. Chellman, Colin & Conger, Dylan & Turner, Lesley J., 2023. "Race and nativity earnings gaps: The role of college networks," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 93(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    social interactions; friendships; heterogeneous peer effects; higher education;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions

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