University Differences in the Graduation of Minorities in STEM Fields: Evidence from California

Abstract

We examine differences in minority science graduation rates among University of California campuses when racial preferences were in place. Less prepared minorities at higher ranked campuses had lower persistence rates in science and took longer to graduate. We estimate a model of students' college major choice where net returns of a science major differ across campuses and student preparation. We find less prepared minority students at top ranked campuses would have higher science graduation rates had they attended lower ranked campuses. Better matching of science students to universities by preparation and providing information about students' prospects in different major-university combinations could increase minority science graduation.

Figure 1.

Distribution of Preparation Score (S) for Applicants to UC Berkeley by Minority and Accept/Reject Status Note: See footnote for a definition of the preparation score, S. Source: UCOP, years 1995–1997

Figure 2.

Distribution of Preparation Scores for Minority UC Berkeley Admits and Nonminority UC Applicants Note: See footnote for a definition of the preparation score, S. Source: UCOP, years 1995–1997

Figure 3.

Differences in Net Returns to Student Academic Preparation (AI) by Major at Selective (A) and Nonselective (B) Colleges

Figure 4.

Differences in Net Returns to Students’ Standardized Academic Preparation Index $\left(A{I}_{ij}^{*}\right)$ by Major at Different UC Campuses