The Effect of Tuition Increases on the College Access of Students of Low Parental Education: New Results From a Natural Experiment in Germany

• In Event: Tuition Pricing Policy and Underrepresented Students

Abstract

With college costs rising dramatically in many countries globally, the question how tuition increases affect the college access has gained importance. While there is a large body of literature in the US, the evidence in Europe is extremely limited. Moreover methodological challenges, such as a lack of comparison groups, often limit the reliability of the estimates. This study investigates how moderate tuition increases affect the enrollment decision of students of low parental education in Germany. Germany was chosen as a study site because it offers a rare opportunity to investigate the effect of tuition fees using a “natural experiments” design. Only six states introduced tuition fees in a uniform amount so that the other states form a natural control group.

Author

• Anna Julia Kroth, Humboldt University - Berlin