Abstract for:

University Differences in the Graduation of Minorities in STEM Fields: Evidence from California

Peter  Arcidiacono,  Esteban  Aucejo,  V. Joseph  Hotz,  June 2013
Paper No' CEPDP1223: | Full paper

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Keywords: STEM majors, minorities, college graduation

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Is hard copy/paper copy available? YES - Paper Copy Still In Print.

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This Paper is published under the following series: CEP Discussion Papers

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Abstract:

The low number of college graduates with science degrees - particularly among underrepresented minorities - is of growing concern. We examine differences across universities in graduating students in different fields. Using student-level data on the University of California system during a period in which racial preferences were in place, we show significant sorting into majors based on academic preparation, with science majors at each campus having on average stronger credentials than their non-science counterparts. Students with relatively weaker academic preparation are significantly more likely to leave the sciences and take longer to graduate at each campus. We show the vast majority of minority students would be more likely to graduate with a science degree and graduate in less time had they attended a lower ranked university. Similar results do not apply for non-minority students.