Introduction to Economics of Education

Undergraduate / Graduate

This course investigates economic issues related to education. We will first discuss the theory behind the decision to invest in education. We will talk about private and social returns to education as well as signaling value of education. Then, we will investigate which factors (class size, teachers, incentives, peers, beliefs, etc.) matter in determining the success of students. Throughout the course, we will learn how different methods (experiments, difference-in-differences, instrumental variables, and regression discontinuity) are used to answer the economics of education questions.