How Do Students Value an Elite Education? Evidence from NYC Specialized High Schools

Revise & resubmit at Real Estate Economics

Current version, with JJ Naddeo and Michael Seiler

Download Paper (PDF)

Older versions, with JJ Naddeo

FHFA Working Paper, Video, and Blog

Download Paper (PDF)

Abstract: Are students willing to brave long commutes for access to good schools? Using New York City Department of Education administrative data matched with Google transit directions, we find that longer commutes from home markedly deter students from applying to even the most elite high schools. For the top public school in New York State, a student with a 20 minute commute is 73% more likely to apply than one who lives 40 minutes away. For two other schools above the 99th percentile of performance, the differences are 232% and 138%. We also find that eighth grade exam scores relate to how well students understand the admissions process.