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The effects of growth mindset on college persistence and completion

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  • Kim, Soobin
  • Yun, John
  • Schneider, Barbara
  • Broda, Michael
  • Klager, Christopher
  • Chen, I-Chien

Abstract

We study the long-term effects of a psychological intervention on longitudinal academic outcomes and degree completion of college students. All freshmen at a large public university were randomized to an online growth mindset, belonging, or control group. We tracked students’ academic outcomes including GPA, number of credits attempted and earned, major choices, and degree completion. We found no evidence of longitudinal academic treatment effects in the full sample. However, the mindset treatment improved term GPAs for Latinx students and the probability for Pell-eligible and Latinx students to major in selective majors. We also found no evidence of increased rates of on-time graduation, however, the treatment raised the probability to graduate with selective majors in four years, especially for Latinx students.

Suggested Citation

  • Kim, Soobin & Yun, John & Schneider, Barbara & Broda, Michael & Klager, Christopher & Chen, I-Chien, 2022. "The effects of growth mindset on college persistence and completion," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 195(C), pages 219-235.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jeborg:v:195:y:2022:i:c:p:219-235
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jebo.2022.01.002
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    References listed on IDEAS

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