The Fight for 15 (and a Degree): Increases to the Minimum Wage and Community College Enrollment

• In Event: External Forces Shaping State Higher Education Access

Abstract

This paper examines the extent to which changes in minimum wage laws impact community college enrollment, using OLS regression models with fixed effects and difference-in-differences models. The paper finds that increases in minimum wages may yield higher first-time community college enrollment rates.

Authors

• Christopher Marsicano, Vanderbilt University Peabody College of Education and Human Development

• Jenna W Kramer, Vanderbilt University, Peabody College