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dc.titleWho Benefits from Tuition-Free, Top-Quality Universities?: Evidence from Brazil
dc.contributor.authorDuryea, Suzanne
dc.contributor.authorRibas, Rafael P.
dc.contributor.authorSampaio, Breno
dc.contributor.authorSampaio, Gustavo R.
dc.contributor.authorTrevisan, Giuseppe
dc.contributor.orgunitGender and Diversity Division
dc.coverageBrazil
dc.date.available2023-06-29T00:06:00
dc.date.issue2023-06-28T00:06:00
dc.description.abstractThis paper investigates the long-term impact on earnings of attending a tuition-free, top-quality university in Brazil. We identify the causal effect through a sharp discontinuity in an admission process based on test scores. If admitted, low-income students are found to increase their earnings by 26% ten years later. However, admission has a small and insignificant effect on high-income students. The difference between income groups is not explained by educational attainment, program choice, or selection into better-paying jobs. The evidence suggests that most low-income applicants, if not admitted, still graduate from college but with much lower returns to education. High-income applicants who just miss the cutoff, however, can find other opportunities such that earnings trajectories are unchanged. Our results underscore the role of affordable higher education in promoting social mobility.
dc.format.extent60
dc.identifier.doihttp://dx.doi.org/10.18235/0004978
dc.identifier.urlhttps://publications.iadb.org/publications/english/document/Who-Benefits-from-Tuition-Free-Top-Quality-Universities-Evidence-from-Brazil.pdf
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherInter-American Development Bank
dc.subjectHigher Education
dc.subjectIncome Distribution
dc.subjectEducational Institution
dc.subjectSmall Business
dc.subjectSocial Mobility
dc.subjectLabor Force
dc.subjectPublic University
dc.subjectEducational Attainment
dc.subjectEducation
dc.subject.jelcodeH52 - Government Expenditures and Education
dc.subject.jelcodeI23 - Higher Education • Research Institutions
dc.subject.jelcodeI26 - Returns to Education
dc.subject.keywordsCollege wage premium;Affordability;school quality;income groups
dc.typeWorking Papers
idb.identifier.pubnumberIDB-WP-01488
idb.operationRG-E1540
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