Exploring online course scarcity’s impact on college progress: A regression discontinuity approach using waitlist enrollment

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Sunday 11:45 am - Gold 4
  In Roundtable Session: Online/Technology

Abstract

This study investigates online course scarcity impacts on enrollment decisions and degree progress. Utilizing matched pairs of 5,602 City University of New York (CUNY) students on fully-online versus not-fully-online course waitlists from spring 2014 to fall 2021 (2,801 classes), regression discontinuity analysis estimated the effect of not getting into a desired course off the waitlist. When online section offerings were scarce, not getting into a desired course had a significantly larger effect on credit accumulation for students on fully-online (versus not-fully-online) waitlists. However, when online sections were plentiful, differences by medium disappeared. This suggests online scarcity may negatively impact credit accumulation for some students, and that course medium may be an important factor for college access and academic momentum.

Authors

• Claire Wladis, Borough of Manhattan Community College

• Alyse C. Hachey, University of Texas - El Paso

• Christopher H. Rhoads, University of Connecticut

• Catherine A. Manly, Fairleigh Dickinson University