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The Cost Structure of Higher Education in Further Education Colleges in England

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  • Pamela Lenton

    (Department of Economics, The University of Sheffield)

Abstract

This paper examines the cost of the provision of higher education courses within further education colleges in England. The further education sector is complex because of the wide range of courses it provides both in terms of subject type and of qualification level. We believe this to be the first attempt to fit a cost function specifically to the further education sector. Cost functions for a sample of 96 colleges over a two-year period, from 2000 to 2002, are fitted using a panel data methodology as well as stochastic frontier analysis. Our findings indicate that most further education colleges are able to benefit from economies of scale. Results from both methodologies suggest the presence of product-specific economies of scale, substantial ray economies of scale and that higher education classroom-based courses, such as business studies, along with vocational courses display substantial economies of scope.

Suggested Citation

  • Pamela Lenton, 2006. "The Cost Structure of Higher Education in Further Education Colleges in England," Working Papers 2006010, The University of Sheffield, Department of Economics, revised Sep 2006.
    • Handle: RePEc:shf:wpaper:2006010
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    File URL: http://www.shef.ac.uk/content/1/c6/05/73/19/SERP2006010.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Lenton, Pamela, 2015. "Determining student satisfaction: An economic analysis of the National Student Survey," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 47(C), pages 118-127.
    2. T Agasisti & G Johnes, 2009. "Cost Structure, Efficiency and Heterogeneity in US Higher Education: An Empirical Analysis," Working Papers 599308, Lancaster University Management School, Economics Department.
    3. Marvin A. Titus & Adriana Vamosiu & Shannon Hayes Buenaflor & Casey Maliszewski Lukszo, 2021. "Persistent Cost Efficiency at Public Community Colleges in the US: A Stochastic Frontier Analysis," Research in Higher Education, Springer;Association for Institutional Research, vol. 62(8), pages 1168-1197, December.
    4. Gralka, Sabine, 2018. "Stochastic frontier analysis in higher education: A systematic review," CEPIE Working Papers 05/18, Technische Universität Dresden, Center of Public and International Economics (CEPIE).
    5. repec:lan:wpaper:4487 is not listed on IDEAS
    6. G. Sav, 2011. "Panel Data Estimates of Public Higher Education Scale and Scope Economies," Atlantic Economic Journal, Springer;International Atlantic Economic Society, vol. 39(2), pages 143-153, June.
    7. G. Thomas Sav, 2012. "Stochastic Cost Inefficiency Estimates and Rankings of Public and Private Research and Doctoral Granting Universities," Journal of Knowledge Management, Economics and Information Technology, ScientificPapers.org, vol. 2(3), pages 1-13, June.
    8. Tirivayi, J.N. & Maasen van den Brink, H. & Groot, W.N.J., 2014. "Size and economies of scale in higher education and the implications for mergers," MERIT Working Papers 2014-066, United Nations University - Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (MERIT).
    9. Marvin A. Titus & Adriana Vamosiu & Kevin R. McClure, 2017. "Are Public Master’s Institutions Cost Efficient? A Stochastic Frontier and Spatial Analysis," Research in Higher Education, Springer;Association for Institutional Research, vol. 58(5), pages 469-496, August.
    10. repec:lan:wpaper:4358 is not listed on IDEAS
    11. Kurt R. Brekke & Roberto Cellini & Luigi Siciliani & Odd Rune Straume, 2012. "Competition in Regulated Markets with Sluggish Beliefs about Quality," Journal of Economics & Management Strategy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 21(1), pages 131-178, March.
    12. Tran, Carolyn D.T.T. & Battese, George E. & Villano, Renato A., 2020. "Administrative capacity assessment in higher education: The case of universities in Vietnam," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 77(C).
    13. repec:lan:wpaper:4792 is not listed on IDEAS
    14. Orosco Gavilán, Juan Carlos & Lopes Moreira da Veiga, María Helena & Wiper, Michael Peter, 2023. "Measuring efficiency of Peruvian universities: a stochastic frontier analysis," DES - Working Papers. Statistics and Econometrics. WS 36250, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid. Departamento de Estadística.
    15. G. Sav, 2012. "Stochastic Cost Frontier and Inefficiency Estimates of Public and Private Universities: Does Government Matter?," International Advances in Economic Research, Springer;International Atlantic Economic Society, vol. 18(2), pages 187-198, May.
    16. G. Thomas Sav, 2012. "Cost Efficiencies and Rankings of Flagship Universities," American Journal of Economics and Business Administration, Science Publications, vol. 3(4), pages 596-603, January.
    17. Bolli, Thomas & Olivares, Maria & Bonaccorsi, Andrea & Daraio, Cinzia & Aracil, Adela Garcia & Lepori, Benedetto, 2016. "The differential effects of competitive funding on the production frontier and the efficiency of universities," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 91-104.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Stochastic frontier; Education;

    JEL classification:

    • C21 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Cross-Sectional Models; Spatial Models; Treatment Effect Models
    • C23 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Models with Panel Data; Spatio-temporal Models
    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education

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