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  4. May 2026
  5. Does Lowering Entry Costs to Economics for Underrepresented Students Affect Outcomes? Preliminary Experimental Evidence

AEA Papers and Proceedings

ISSN 2574-0768 (Print) | ISSN 2574-0776 (Online)

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Does Lowering Entry Costs to Economics for Underrepresented Students Affect Outcomes? Preliminary Experimental Evidence

  • Jesse Buchsbaum
  • Michael Greenstone
  • Olga Rostapshova
AEA Papers and Proceedings
vol. 116, May 2026
(pp. 417–421)
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Abstract

Economics lags other disciplines in inclusivity both as a field of study and career track. We conduct the first longitudinal randomized controlled trial of a diversity program in economics to evaluate the causal impact of the University of Chicago’s EDE/EDE+ program. We randomize acceptance among qualified applicants and track academic, professional, and attitudinal outcomes via follow-up surveys and LinkedIn data. We describe the experimental design, sample characteristics, and outcome measurement and present preliminary data from surveys with four cohorts. We are continuing to randomize cohort admissions, and collect outcome data, to increase sample size and measure longer-run outcomes.

Citation

Buchsbaum, Jesse, Michael Greenstone, and Olga Rostapshova. 2026. "Does Lowering Entry Costs to Economics for Underrepresented Students Affect Outcomes? Preliminary Experimental Evidence." AEA Papers and Proceedings 116: 417–421. DOI: 10.1257/pandp.20261084

Additional Materials

JEL Classification

  • A22 Economic Education and Teaching of Economics: Undergraduate
  • C93 Field Experiments
  • I23 Higher Education; Research Institutions