Journal of Human Resources · 2026 · Sarah R. Cohodes、Helen Ho、Silvia Robles
Abstract
Pipeline programs intended to increase diversity in STEM fields are common, but there is little rigorous evidence of their efficacy. We fielded a randomized controlled trial to study a suite of such programs targeted to underrepresented high school students and hosted at an elite technical institution. Students offered seats in the STEM summer programs were likelier to enroll in, persist through, and graduate from elite colleges and to graduate with a degree in a STEM field. These improvements in college outcomes raised predicted earnings by 3–15 percent.