The Source of Athlete Admission Preferences: A Structural Analysis of University Athletic Offerings
Abstract:
This study investigates the socioeconomic implications of athletic admissions at U.S. universities. Using a novel dataset linking NCAA roster data to high school characteristics, we document substantial socioeconomic segregation patterns across sports and universities. More selective institutions, particularly elite private universities, allocate up to 25% of enrollment to athletes who typically come from higher-income backgrounds than the general student body. Our structural model shows Division I institutions prioritize financial returns and prefer higher-income athletes, while Division III institutions sacrifice financial returns and show greater preference for lower-income athletes. Counterfactual analyses examine how athletic enrollment restrictions and modified Title IX requirements would reshape university athletic offerings, with implications for institutional diversity and access.