Abstract
ABSTRACT The question of why postsecondary institutions produce different labor market outcomes is difficult to answer due to unobserved student characteristics. Here, I leverage students' geographic proximity to three classifications of postsecondary institutions – earnings-enhancing, competitive, and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Using a nationally representative sample, I estimate attainment and earnings effects of first attending each type. Attending an institution classified as earnings-enhancing increases humanities credit completion, degree attainment, and early-career wages. Among underrepresented students, living closest to an HBCU strongly predicts HBCU enrollment. This yields higher STEM credit completion but lower early-career wages, suggesting possible labor market bias. Abbreviations: Competitive: Barron's Top 3 Selectivity Tier Institution; HBCU:Historically Black College or University; HSI: High-Success Institution; STEM: Science; Technology; Engineering; and Mathematics; Underrepresented Minority (URM): Black; Indigenous; or Hispanic/Latinx
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