Cohort crowding and nonresident college enrollment

This study uses a fixed effects panel data framework to examine the effects of cohort crowding and other variables on nonresident enrollment at four-year public colleges and universities. The results suggest that larger cohorts of resident students crowd out nonresident students at flagship universities, but there is inconsistent evidence of crowd out at non-flagship schools. Additionally, larger cohorts of resident students result in increased nonresident tuition at flagship universities but not at non-flagship schools. When faced with larger cohorts of resident students, flagship universities lower the numbers of nonresident students enrolled and raise the price for nonresidents.

► This study examines whether resident students crowd out nonresidents from public colleges and universities. ► I find that resident students crowd out nonresidents at flagship universities. ► Evidence of crowd out is weaker for non-flagship schools. ► Larger cohorts of residents also increase nonresident tuition at flagships but not at non-flagships.