Higher Education Dynamics: Assessing the Nexus of College Costs, Sports, and Amenities

Abstract

This dissertation examines three distinct aspects of higher education and public policy. The first chapter investigates the differential impact of state appropriations on STEM and non-STEM degree completion at U.S. public institutions. Using a Bartik-style instrumental variables approach with panel data from 2003-2019, I find that a 10% increase in state funding leads to a 3.4% increase in STEM degrees, primarily affecting male students, science majors, and nonselective institutions, while having minimal impact on non-STEM degrees. The second chapter explores how recreational marijuana legalization (RML) affects college enrollment, finding that RML increases first-time undergraduate enrollments by 4.6-9% without compromising degree completion or graduation rates. This effect is driven by out-of-state enrollments in non-selective public colleges, suggesting marijuana functions as a consumption amenity that enhances college competitiveness. The third chapter analyzes the prevalence of student-athletes at elite private universities, documenting that these institutions allocate a disproportionate share of enrollment capacity to varsity athletes compared to larger public universities, with athletes often coming from more advantaged socioeconomic backgrounds. Together, these chapters provide insights into how public funding, state policies, and institutional priorities shape access to and outcomes in higher education.