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Sitting Next to a Dropout - Academic Success of Students with More Educated Peers

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  • Daniel Goller
  • Andrea Diem
  • Stefan C. Wolter

Abstract

We investigate the impact of the presence of university dropouts on the academic success of first-time students. Our identification strategy relies on quasi-random variation in the proportion of returning dropouts. The estimated average zero effect of dropouts on first-time students’ success masks treatment heterogeneity and non-linearities. First, we find negative effects on the academic success of their new peers from dropouts re-enrolling in the same subject and, conversely, positive effects of dropouts changing subjects. Second, using causal machine learning methods, we find that the effects vary nonlinearly with different treatment intensities and prevailing treatment levels.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniel Goller & Andrea Diem & Stefan C. Wolter, 2022. "Sitting Next to a Dropout - Academic Success of Students with More Educated Peers," CESifo Working Paper Series 9812, CESifo.
    • Handle: RePEc:ces:ceswps:_9812
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    university dropouts; peer effects; better prepared students; causal machine learning;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • A23 - General Economics and Teaching - - Economic Education and Teaching of Economics - - - Graduate
    • C14 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Semiparametric and Nonparametric Methods: General
    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions

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