College Attrition and the Dynamics of Information Revelation

S-Tier
Journal: Journal of Political Economy
Year: 2025
Volume: 133
Issue: 1
Pages: 53 - 110

Authors (4)

Peter Arcidiacono (not in RePEc) Esteban Aucejo (not in RePEc) Arnaud Maurel (Duke University) Tyler Ransom (University of Oklahoma)

Score contribution per author:

2.011 = (α=2.01 / 4 authors) × 4.0x S-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

We examine how informational frictions impact schooling and work outcomes by estimating a dynamic structural model where individuals face uncertainty about their academic ability and productivity, which determine their schooling utility and wages. We account for different college types, majors, occupational search frictions, and work hours. Individuals learn from grades and wages, which may affect their choices. Removing informational frictions would increase graduation by 4.4 percentage points and by an additional 2 points without search frictions. Providing students with full information about their abilities would increase the college and white-collar wage premia while reducing the graduation gap by family income.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:ucp:jpolec:doi:10.1086/732526
Journal Field
General
Author Count
4
Added to Database
2026-01-25