Does Distance Determine Who Attends a University in Germany?

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Does Distance Determine Who Attends a University in Germany?
Language: English
Authors: Spiess, C. Katharina, Wrohlich, Katharina
Source: Economics of Education Review. Jun 2010 29(3):470-479.
Availability: Elsevier. 6277 Sea Harbor Drive, Orlando, FL 32887-4800. Tel: 877-839-7126; Tel: 407-345-4020; Fax: 407-363-1354; e-mail: usjcs@elsevier.com; Web site: http://www.elsevier.com
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 10
Publication Date: 2010
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Geographic Location, Educational Demand, Higher Education, Costs, Enrollment Influences
Geographic Terms: Germany
DOI: 10.1016/j.econedurev.2009.10.009
ISSN: 0272-7757
Abstract: We analyze the role of distance to the nearest university in the demand for higher education in Germany. Distance could matter due to transaction costs or due to neighborhood effects. We use data from the German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP) combined with a database on university postal codes to estimate a discrete choice model of the demand for higher education. We show that--controlling for other socio-economic and regional characteristics--distance to the nearest university at the time of completing secondary school significantly affects the decision to enroll in a university. Our empirical results further suggest that the distance effect is driven mainly by transaction costs rather than by neighborhood effects. (Contains 1 figure and 7 tables.)
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2010
Accession Number: EJ878970
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:We analyze the role of distance to the nearest university in the demand for higher education in Germany. Distance could matter due to transaction costs or due to neighborhood effects. We use data from the German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP) combined with a database on university postal codes to estimate a discrete choice model of the demand for higher education. We show that--controlling for other socio-economic and regional characteristics--distance to the nearest university at the time of completing secondary school significantly affects the decision to enroll in a university. Our empirical results further suggest that the distance effect is driven mainly by transaction costs rather than by neighborhood effects. (Contains 1 figure and 7 tables.)
ISSN:0272-7757
DOI:10.1016/j.econedurev.2009.10.009