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  3. American Economic Journal: Economic Policy
  4. November 2022
  5. Adviser Value Added and Student Outcomes: Evidence from Randomly Assigned College Advisers

Adviser Value Added and Student Outcomes: Evidence from Randomly Assigned College Advisers

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Abstract

This paper provides the first causal evidence on the impact of college advisor quality on student outcomes. To do so, we exploit a unique setting where students are randomly assigned to faculty advisors during their first year of college. We find that higher advisor value added (VA) substantially improves freshman year GPA, time to complete freshman year and four-year graduation rates. Additionally, higher advisor VA increases high-ability students' likelihood of enrolling and graduating with a STEM degree. Our results indicate that allocating resources towards improving the quality of academic advising may play a key role in promoting college success.

Citation

Canaan, Serena, Antoine Deeb, and Pierre Mouganie. 2022. "Adviser Value Added and Student Outcomes: Evidence from Randomly Assigned College Advisers." American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, 14 (4): 151-91. DOI: 10.1257/pol.20200778

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JEL Classification

  • I23 Higher Education; Research Institutions
  • I26 Returns to Education
  • J24 Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
  • J31 Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials
  • O15 Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration
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