Expanding College Opportunities for High-Achieving, Low Income Students
Only a minority of high-achieving, low-income students apply to colleges in the same way that other high-achieving students do: applying to several selective colleges whose curriculum is designed for students with a level of achievement like their own. This is despite the fact that selective colleges typically cost them high-achieving, low-income students less while offering them more generous resources than the non-selective postsecondary institutions they mainly attend. In previous work, we demonstrate that the vast majority of high-achieving, low-income students are unlikely to be reached by traditional methods of informing students about their college opportunities since such methods require the students to be concentrated geographically. In this study, we use a randomized controlled trial to evaluate interventions that provide students with semi-customized information on the application process and colleges’ net costs. The interventions also provide students with no-paperwork application fee waivers. The ECO Comprehensive (ECO-C) Intervention costs about $6 per student, and we find that it causes high-achieving, low-income students to apply and be admitted to more colleges, especially those with high graduation rates and generous instructional resources. The students respond to their enlarged opportunity sets by enrolling in colleges that have stronger academic records, higher graduation rates, and more generous resources. Their freshman grades are as good as the control students’, despite the fact that the control students attend less selective colleges and therefore compete with peers whose incoming preparation is substantially inferior. Benefit-to-cost ratios for the ECO-C Intervention are extremely high, even under the most conservative assumptions.
Related
Professor (by courtesy), Economics
April 09, 2013
New study finds that low-income, high-achieving students with information about their full range of college opportunities, will apply to selective colleges in larger numbers, attend and graduate.
655 Knight Way
Stanford, CA 94305
USA
Follow Us
© Stanford Graduate School of Business
- The Experience
- About Us
- The Leadership
- Updates
- Advisory Council
- DEI Updates
- See the Current DEI Report
- Supporting Data
- Center for Entrepreneurial Studies
- Research
- Search Funds
- Affiliated Faculty
- Faculty Advisors
- Louis W. Foster Resource Center
- Defining Social Innovation
- Impact Compass
- Global Health Innovation Insights
- Faculty & Staff
- Student Awards & Certificates
- Changemakers
- Our History
- Stanford GSB Deans
- Dean Jonathan Levin
- Dean Garth Saloner
- Dean Robert Joss
- Dean Michael Spence
- Dean Robert Jaedicke
- Dean Rene McPherson
- Dean Arjay Miller
- Dean Ernest Arbuckle
- Dean Jacob Hugh Jackson
- Dean Willard Hotchkiss
- Program
- Class of 2024 Candidates
- Certificate & Award Recipients
- Dean’s Remarks
- Keynote Address
- Faculty
- Action Learning Program
- Analysis and Measurement of Impact
- The Corporate Entrepreneur: Startup in a Grown-Up Enterprise
- Data-Driven Impact
- Designing Experiments for Impact
- Digital Marketing
- The Founder’s Right Hand
- Marketing for Measurable Change
- Product Management
- Public Policy Lab: Financial Challenges Facing US Cities
- Public Policy Lab: Homelessness in California
- Lab Features
- Curricular Integration
- Faculty
- Contact
- Entrepreneurship Courses
- Formation of New Ventures
- Managing Growing Enterprises
- Startup Garage
- Explore Beyond the Classroom
- Stanford Venture Studio
- Summer Program
- Botha Chan Innovation Program
- Leadership Labs
- Executive Challenge
- Arbuckle Leadership Fellows Program
- Interpersonal Dynamics
- Facilitation Training Program
- 2024–25 Program
- Selection Process
- Training Schedule
- Curriculum
- Certificate
- Fellowships
- Impact Design Immersion Fellowship
- 2024 Awardees
- 2023 Awardees
- 2022 Awardees
- 2021 Awardees
- 2020 Awardees
- 2019 Awardees
- 2018 Awardees
- Stanford Impact Founder Fellowships
- Stanford Impact Leader Prizes
- Social Entrepreneurship
- Stanford GSB Impact Fund
- Economic Development
- Education
- Energy & Environment
- Healthcare
- Collaborative Environment
- Activities & Organizations
- Student Services
- Housing Options
- Environmental Leadership
- Stanford GSB Artwork
- A Closer Look
- Our Approach
- Business & Beneficial Technology
- Business & Sustainability
- Business & Free Markets
- Business, Government, and Society Forum
- MBA Program
- Why Stanford MBA
- Academic Experience
- Curriculum
- JD/MBA Joint Degree
- MA Education/MBA Joint Degree
- MD/MBA Dual Degree
- MPP/MBA Joint Degree
- MS Computer Science/MBA Joint Degree
- MS Electrical Engineering/MBA Joint Degree
- MS Environment and Resources (E-IPER)/MBA Joint Degree
- Clubs & Activities
- Diversity
- Conferences
- International Students
- LGBTQ+ Students
- Military Veterans
- Minorities & People of Color
- Partners & Families
- Students with Disabilities
- Women
- Career Support
- Employment Outcomes
- Cost of Attendance
- Types of Aid
- Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program
- Yellow Ribbon Program
- BOLD Fellows Fund
- Evaluation Criteria
- Deadlines
- Application
- Education
- Test Scores
- GMAT & GRE
- English Language Proficiency
- Why Stanford MSx
- See Why Stanford MSx
- Is MSx Right for You?
- Alumni Voices
- MSx Stories
- Curriculum
- Leadership Development
- How You Will Learn
- Academic Calendar
- Admission Events
- Evaluation Criteria
- Application Requirements
- Personal Information
- Education
- Professional Experience
- Graduate Tests
- GMAT, GRE & EA
- English Proficiency Tests
- Career Change
- Career Advancement
- Entrepreneurship
- Career Support and Resources
- Student Life
- Activities & Organizations
- Voices
- Cost of Attendance
- U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents
- International Students
- Application Process
- Loan Forgiveness
- Fields of Study
- Accounting
- Requirements: Behavioral
- Requirements: Quantitative
- Requirements: Macro
- Requirements: Micro
- Degree Requirements
- Coursework
- Annual Evaluations
- Field Examination
- Research Activities
- Research Papers
- Candidacy
- Dissertation
- Oral Examination
- What We Look For
- Education & CV
- GMAT & GRE
- International Applicants
- Statement of Purpose
- Letters of Recommendation
- Reapplicants
- Application Fee Waiver
- Job Market Candidates
- Academic Placements
- Research Community
- Faculty Mentors
- Current Fellows
- Alumni
- Standard Track
- Dedicated Track
- Programs for Individuals
- On-Demand Online Courses
- Custom Programs
- Program Formats
- Developing a Program
- Diversity & Inclusion
- Strategic Transformation
- Program Experience
- Academic Experience
- Eligibility
- International Participants
- Application Process
- Stanford Executive Program
- Stanford Ignite
- Stanford LEAD
- Faculty
- Academic Areas
- Accounting
- Economics
- Finance
- Marketing
- Operations, Information & Technology
- Organizational Behavior
- Political Economy
- Accounting
- Classical Liberalism
- Economics
- The Eddie Lunch
- Finance
- IOPLUS
- Marketing
- Operations, Information & Technology
- Organizational Behavior
- Political Economy
- Accounting Summer Camp
- California Econometrics Conference
- California Quantitative Marketing PhD Conference
- California School Conference
- China India Insights Conference
- Homo economicus, Evolving
- Initiative on Business and Environmental Sustainability
- Political Economics (2023–24)
- Scaling Geologic Storage of CO2 (2023–24)
- A Resilient Pacific: Building Connections, Envisioning Solutions
- Adaptation and Innovation
- Changing Climate
- Civil Society
- Climate Impact Summit
- Climate Science
- Corporate Carbon Disclosures
- Earth’s Seafloor
- Environmental Justice
- Finance
- Marketing
- Operations and Information Technology
- Organizations
- Sustainability Reporting and Control
- Taking the Pulse of the Planet
- Urban Infrastructure
- Watershed Restoration
- Cities, Housing & Society Lab
- Corporate Governance Research Initiative
- Research
- Stanford Closer Look Series
- Quick Guides
- Core Concepts
- Surveys
- Books
- Journal Articles
- Working Papers
- Case Studies
- Glossary of Terms
- Subscribe to Corporate Governance Emails
- Who We Are
- Researchers & Students
- Funders
- Research Approach
- Publications
- Domain Areas
- Charitable Giving
- Education
- Financial Health
- Government Services
- Health
- Workers & Careers
- AI & Machine Learning
- Reading Materials
- Courses
- Events
- Contact
- Research
- Teaching & Curriculum
- Energy Entrepreneurship
- Faculty & Affiliates
- Contact
- SOLE Report
- Research
- Subscribe
- Research
- Books
- Case Studies
- Publications
- Responsible Supply Chains
- Conduct Research
- Current Study Usage
- Pre-Registration Information
- About Seed
- Leadership
- Founding Donors
- Contact
- Program Contacts
- Location Information
- Seed Transformation Program
- Curriculum
- Faculty
- Participant Profile
- Network Membership
- Program Impact
- Voices
- Admission
- Curriculum
- Participant Profile
- Curriculum
- Faculty
- Participant Profile
- Collaborators
- Meet Seed Entrepreneurs
- Entrepreneur Profiles
- Company Spotlights
- Coach
- Responsibilities
- Current Coaches
- How to Apply
- Meet the Consultants
- How to Apply
- Meet the Interns
- Intern Profiles
- How to Apply
- Research & Studies
- Research Resources
- Databases & Datasets
- Research Guides
- Journals
- Books
- Working Papers
- Case Studies
- Research Guides
- Consultations
- Research Workshops
- Career Research
- Ask Us
- Research Data Services
- Course Support
- Course Reserves
- Course Research Guides
- Material Loan Periods
- Fines & Other Charges
- Document Delivery
- Interlibrary Loan
- Equipment Checkout
- Staff Directory
- Hours
- Library Spaces
- Alumni Site Help
- Site Login
- Site Registration
- Alumni Directory
- Alumni Email
- Privacy Settings & My Profile
- Event Registration Help
- Digital Communities & Tools
- Women’s Programs
- Women’s Circles
- Success Stories
- The Story of Circles
- Support Women’s Circles
- Industry & Professional
- Entrepreneurial Commitment Group
- Class Notes
- Alumni Voices
- Books
- Alumni Day
- Half-Century Club
- Plan Your Visit
- Fall Reunions
- Spring Reunions
- MBA 25th Reunion
- Half-Century Club Reunion
- Award Events
- Ernest C. Arbuckle Award
- Alison Elliott Exceptional Achievement Award
- ENCORE Award
- Excellence in Leadership Award
- John W. Gardner Volunteer Leadership Award
- Robert K. Jaedicke Faculty Award
- Jack McDonald Military Service Appreciation Award
- Jerry I. Porras Latino Leadership Award
- Tapestry Award
- Job Search Resources
- Executive Recruiters
- Interviewing
- Job Boards
- LinkedIn
- Land the Perfect Job with LinkedIn
- Elevator Pitch
- Email Best Practices
- Long-Term Career & Executive Coaches
- Whitney Birdwell Ball
- Margaret Brooks
- Bryn Panee Burkhart
- Margaret Chan
- Ricki Frankel
- Peter Gandolfo
- Cindy W. Greig
- Natalie Guillen
- Carly Janson
- Sloan Klein
- Sherri Appel Lassila
- Agnes Le
- Stuart Meyer
- Tanisha Parrish
- Virginia Roberson
- Philippe Taieb
- Michael Takagawa
- Terra Winston
- Johanna Wise
- Debbie Wolter
- Jung Yoo
- Rebecca Zucker
- New Grads
- Changing Careers
- Work-Life Integration
- Career Breaks
- Flexible Work
- Encore Careers
- Join a Board
- Research Resources
- Library Databases
- D&B Hoovers
- Data Axle (ReferenceUSA)
- EBSCO Business Source
- Global Newsstream
- Market Share Reporter
- ProQuest One Business
- RKMA Market Research Handbook Series
- Academics & Student Life
- Student Clubs
- Entrepreneurial Students
- Volunteering Opportunities
- How to Volunteer
- Springboard Sessions
- Consulting Projects
- Volunteers by Class Year
- 2020 – 2029
- 2010 – 2019
- 2000 – 2009
- 1990 – 1999
- 1980 – 1989
- 1970 – 1979
- 1960 – 1969
- 1950 – 1959
- 1940 – 1949
- ACT History
- ACT Awards Celebration
- ACT Governance Structure
- Building Leadership for ACT
- Individual Leadership Positions
- Leadership Role Overview
- Purpose of the ACT Management Board
- Impact of Giving
- Fiscal Year Report
- Business School Fund Leadership Council
- Planned Giving Options
- Planned Giving Benefits
- Planned Gifts and Reunions
- Legacy Partners
- Staff Directory
- Submit Class Notes
- Class Secretaries
- Stanford GSB Alumni Association
- Membership
- Board of Directors
- Accounting
- Big Data
- Career & Success
- Corporate Governance
- Culture & Society
- Economics
- Entrepreneurship
- Finance & Investing
- Government
- Health Care
- Innovation
- Leadership & Management
- Marketing
- Operations & Logistics
- Operations, Information & Technology
- Opinion & Analysis
- Opportunity & Access
- Sustainability
- Class Takeaways
- Subscribe
- Contact
- All Else Equal: Making Better Decisions
- If/Then: Business, Leadership, Society
- Grit & Growth
- Think Fast, Talk Smart
- View From The Top
- All Issues
- Spring 2022
- Spring 2021
- Fall 2021
- Autumn 2020
- Summer 2020
- Winter 2020
- Shift
- Catalyst
- Value
- Fall 2023
- In the Media
- Press Kit
- For Journalists
- Non-GSB Registration
- Home
- Stanford Students
- Venues
- Campus Drive Grove
- Campus Drive Lawn
- CEMEX Auditorium
- King Community Court
- Seawell Family Boardroom
- Stanford GSB Bowl
- Stanford Investors Common
- Town Square
- Vidalakis Courtyard
- Vidalakis Dining Hall
- Faculty Recruiting
- Accounting
- Economics
- Finance
- Marketing
- Operations, Information & Technology
- Organizational Behavior
- Political Economy
- Contact Faculty Recruiting
- Recruit Stanford GSB Talent
- Post Jobs
- Interview Candidates
- CMC-Managed Interviews
- Recruiter-Managed Interviews
- Virtual Interviews
- Campus & Virtual
- Off-Campus
- Think Globally
- Recruiting Calendar
- Recruiting Policies
- Employment Reports
- Full-Time Employment
- Entrepreneurship
- Summer Employment
- Internships & Experiential Programs
- Entrepreneurial Summer Program
- Global Management Immersion Experience
- Social-Purpose Summer Internships
- Consulting Projects
- Springboard Sessions
- Clients
- Working with ACT
- Process Overview
- Project Types
- Client Eligibility Criteria
- Client Screening
- Application Process
- Centers & Initiatives
- Student Fellowships