The Benefits of Scholastic Athletics | NBER

This paper uses longitudinal data to study the benefits of participation in scholastic athletics starting with high school participation and continuing with college athletics, including the benefits of intramural athletics. We study the impact of participation on a number of important life outcomes, including graduation from high school and college and wages after schooling is completed. Controlling for rich measures of cognitive and personality skills and social background, we find substantial benefits at all levels. Participation in athletics promotes social mobility for disadvantaged and minority students. You may have unlimited free access to working papers. Many colleges and universities have institutional subscriptions. If you are affiliated with a subscribing institution, please access this site through your on-campus IP address. This should permit unlimited downloads. Alternatively, you can register and confirm your email address. This will enable you to download working papers

The Benefits of Scholastic Athletics | NBER Skip to main content The Benefits of Scholastic Athletics James J. Heckman , Colleen P. Loughlin & Haihan Tian Share X LinkedIn Facebook Bluesky Threads Email Link Working Paper 34046 DOI 10.3386/w34046 Issue Date July 2025 This paper uses longitudinal data to study the benefits of participation in scholastic athletics starting with high school participation and continuing with college athletics, including the benefits of intramural athletics. We study the impact of participation on a number of important life outcomes, including graduation from high

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