Building a Better College: Estimating the Effects of New Athletic Facilities on the Enrollment Decisions of Student-Athletes

In 2015, Northwestern College opened the Juffer Fieldhouse, a $3.3M indoor sports facility complex, with hopes of advancing the athletic programs at the college and capturing the interest of prospective student-athletes. Based on prospective student data from 2006-08 and 2013-17, this study identifies the impact that the Juffer Fieldhouse had on the enrollment decisions of prospective student-athletes. I show that the opening of this new indoor facility is associated with a 8.54% increase in the probability of enrollment for prospective students with an athletic interest compared to non-athletes. Furthermore, student athletes who expressed interest in sports directly supported by the Juffer Fieldhouse (“Juffer-specific” sports) have a 6.98% higher chance of enrollment compared to athletes interested in other sports. The effects are statistically significant, economically meaningful, and robust. The methodology of this study can be applied to evaluate investment into facilities and programs that differentiate colleges in a meaningful way for prospective students