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Increasing Degree Attainment Among Low-Income Students: The Role of Intensive Advising and College Quality

Author

Listed:
  • Andrew C. Barr
  • Benjamin L. Castleman

Abstract

A college degree offers a pathway to economic mobility for low-income students. Using a multi-site randomized controlled trial combined with administrative and survey data, we demonstrate that intensive advising during high school and college significantly increases bachelor’s degree attainment among lower-income students. We leverage unique data on pre-advising college preferences and causal forest methods to show that these gains are primarily driven by improvements in initial enrollment quality. Our results suggest that strategies targeting college choice may be a more effective and efficient means of increasing degree attainment than those focused solely on affordability.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrew C. Barr & Benjamin L. Castleman, 2025. "Increasing Degree Attainment Among Low-Income Students: The Role of Intensive Advising and College Quality," NBER Working Papers 33921, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:33921
    Note: CH ED LS PE
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • H52 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Government Expenditures and Education
    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity

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