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Entrepreneurial returns to college

Author

Listed:
  • Leuven, Edwin

    (Dept. of Economics, University of Oslo)

  • Mikkelsen Semb, Ingrid

    (Research Department, Statistics Norway)

Abstract

How does college education shape entrepreneurship? We first document striking differences between college fields in the share of students becoming entrepreneurs. We then leverage quasi-random variation in college admissions near GPA-based thresholds to study the causal impact of the college environment on subsequent entrepreneurship. Exposure to more entrepreneurially intensive college programs, measured as a higher share of entrepreneurs among alumni, substantially increases the probability that a student starts their own business.

Suggested Citation

  • Leuven, Edwin & Mikkelsen Semb, Ingrid, 2025. "Entrepreneurial returns to college," Memorandum 3/2025, Oslo University, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:hhs:osloec:2025_003
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    File URL: https://www.sv.uio.no/econ/english/research/publications/memoranda/pdf-files/2025/memo-03-2025.pdf
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    More about this item

    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • C21 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Cross-Sectional Models; Spatial Models; Treatment Effect Models
    • C26 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Instrumental Variables (IV) Estimation
    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions
    • I26 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Returns to Education
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • L26 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Entrepreneurship
    • M13 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - New Firms; Startups

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