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Graded Walks: How Students' Dorm Locations Affect Grade Performance

Author

Listed:
  • David H. Feldman
  • Adam D. Jutt

    (Economics Department, William & Mary)

  • Roswell Miller

    (Economics Department, William & Mary)

Abstract

We evaluate the impact of walking distance from dormitory to classroom on academic performance among first-year students at William & Mary. Leveraging a natural experiment created by the university's randomized dorm assignments, we analyze student-class level data from two cohorts (2016-17 and 2017-18). We find a statistically significant negative impact of distance, both for all classes and for the subset of "first classes of the day," as the distance measure may reflect actual travel more accurately for these classes. The effect is robust to student fixed effects and various class-level controls, and is particularly pronounced in large-enrollment and early morning classes. This is consistent with attendance-related frictions driving the effect. These findings support institutional policies that minimize first-year students' walking distance to class.

Suggested Citation

  • David H. Feldman & Adam D. Jutt & Roswell Miller, 2025. "Graded Walks: How Students' Dorm Locations Affect Grade Performance," Working Papers 174, Economics Department, William & Mary.
    • Handle: RePEc:cwm:wpaper:174
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Pedro de Araujo & James Murray, 2010. "Estimating the effects of dormitory living on student performance," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 30(1), pages 866-878.
    2. Raj Chetty & David J. Deming & John N. Friedman, 2023. "Diversifying Society’s Leaders? The Determinants and Causal Effects of Admission to Highly Selective Private Colleges," NBER Working Papers 31492, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    3. Pedro de Araujo & James Murray, 2010. "Estimating the Effects of Dormitory Living on Student Performance," CAEPR Working Papers 2010-002, Center for Applied Economics and Policy Research, Department of Economics, Indiana University Bloomington.
    4. David Romer, 1993. "Do Students Go to Class? Should They?," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 7(3), pages 167-174, Summer.
    5. Buchmueller, Thomas C. & Jacobson, Mireille & Wold, Cheryl, 2006. "How far to the hospital?: The effect of hospital closures on access to care," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 25(4), pages 740-761, July.
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments
    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions
    • R41 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Transportation Economics - - - Transportation: Demand, Supply, and Congestion; Travel Time; Safety and Accidents; Transportation Noise

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