This paper presents a large-scale field experiment assessing the impact of an intervention providing evidence-based information about costs and returns to higher education. Treatment impacts are evaluated through university enrolment, choice of field of study, and performance either at university or in the labour market. Thanks to the large sample size, treatment effects can also be assessed for subgroups (by gender and parental education). We find that treated females from high-educated families chose more economically rewarding fields of study, while treated males from low-educated families were more likely to enter the labour market. Although not necessarily in line with policy goals, choices induced by additional information were not detrimental to students’ opportunities, as treated students displayed a similar academic performance and higher employment rates.

Ballarino, G., Filippin, A., Abbiati, G., Argentin, G., Barone, C., Schizzerotto, A. (2022). The effects of an information campaign beyond university enrolment: A large-scale field experiment on the choices of high school students. ECONOMICS OF EDUCATION REVIEW, 91(December 2022) [10.1016/j.econedurev.2022.102308].

The effects of an information campaign beyond university enrolment: A large-scale field experiment on the choices of high school students

Abbiati, Giovanni
;
Argentin, Gianluca
;
2022

Abstract

This paper presents a large-scale field experiment assessing the impact of an intervention providing evidence-based information about costs and returns to higher education. Treatment impacts are evaluated through university enrolment, choice of field of study, and performance either at university or in the labour market. Thanks to the large sample size, treatment effects can also be assessed for subgroups (by gender and parental education). We find that treated females from high-educated families chose more economically rewarding fields of study, while treated males from low-educated families were more likely to enter the labour market. Although not necessarily in line with policy goals, choices induced by additional information were not detrimental to students’ opportunities, as treated students displayed a similar academic performance and higher employment rates.
Articolo in rivista - Articolo scientifico
Higher education; Information experiment; Outreach; RCT;
English
28-set-2022
2022
91
December 2022
102308
none
Ballarino, G., Filippin, A., Abbiati, G., Argentin, G., Barone, C., Schizzerotto, A. (2022). The effects of an information campaign beyond university enrolment: A large-scale field experiment on the choices of high school students. ECONOMICS OF EDUCATION REVIEW, 91(December 2022) [10.1016/j.econedurev.2022.102308].
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10281/393288
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