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Elite Universities and the Intergenerational Transmission of Human and Social Capital

Author

Listed:
  • Barrios-Fernandez, Andres

    (Universidad de los Andes)

  • Neilson, Christopher A.

    (Princeton University)

  • Zimmerman, Seth D.

    (Yale School of Management)

Abstract

Do elite colleges help talented students join the social elite, or help incumbent elites retain their positions? We combine intergenerationally-linked data from Chile with a regression discontinuity design to show that, looking across generations, elite colleges do both. Lower-status individuals who gain admission to elite college programs transform their children's social environment. Children become more likely to attend high-status private schools and colleges, and to live near and befriend high-status peers. In contrast, academic achievement is unaffected. Simulations combining descriptive and quasi-experimental findings show that elite colleges tighten the link between social and human capital while decreasing intergenerational social mobility.

Suggested Citation

  • Barrios-Fernandez, Andres & Neilson, Christopher A. & Zimmerman, Seth D., 2024. "Elite Universities and the Intergenerational Transmission of Human and Social Capital," IZA Discussion Papers 17252, IZA Network @ LISER.
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp17252
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Seth D. Zimmerman, 2019. "Elite Colleges and Upward Mobility to Top Jobs and Top Incomes," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 109(1), pages 1-47, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Adrienne M. Lucas & Patrick J. McEwan & David Torres Irribarra, 2025. "The Long-Run and Intergenerational Effects of Conditional Cash Transfers: Evidence from Chile’s Indigenous Grants," NBER Working Papers 33798, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    2. de Vries, Sander & Ketel, Nadine & Lindeboom, Maarten, 2024. "From Parents' Cradle to Children's Career: Intergenerational Effects of Parental Investments," IZA Discussion Papers 17570, IZA Network @ LISER.

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality
    • D64 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Altruism; Philanthropy; Intergenerational Transfers
    • J62 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Job, Occupational and Intergenerational Mobility; Promotion

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