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How Does Having a Football Program Affect Enrollment at Small Private Colleges?

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Bibliographic Details
Title: How Does Having a Football Program Affect Enrollment at Small Private Colleges?
Language: English
Authors: Clay Collins, E. Frank Stephenson
Source: Education Economics. 2026 34(2):311-320.
Availability: Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 10
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Small Colleges, Private Colleges, Enrollment, Team Sports, College Athletics, Gender Differences
DOI: 10.1080/09645292.2025.2501068
ISSN: 0964-5292
1469-5782
Abstract: This paper examines the effects of fielding college football on enrollment and other aspects of NCAA Division III (DIII) institutions. Unlike larger Division I universities, DIII schools, which are primary private colleges, do not award athletic scholarships. Using two-way fixed effect regressions and coarsened exact matching approaches, we examine the presence of a football program on colleges' enrollment, admissions standards, and finances. We find that having a football team is associated with significant increases in total enrollment as well as increases in both male and female enrollment. We find no evidence that football negatively affects admissions rate or college revenues.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1500944
Database: ERIC
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Abstract:This paper examines the effects of fielding college football on enrollment and other aspects of NCAA Division III (DIII) institutions. Unlike larger Division I universities, DIII schools, which are primary private colleges, do not award athletic scholarships. Using two-way fixed effect regressions and coarsened exact matching approaches, we examine the presence of a football program on colleges' enrollment, admissions standards, and finances. We find that having a football team is associated with significant increases in total enrollment as well as increases in both male and female enrollment. We find no evidence that football negatively affects admissions rate or college revenues.
ISSN:0964-5292
1469-5782
DOI:10.1080/09645292.2025.2501068