Number:
1265
Published:
Classification JEL:
E24, I21
Keywords:
Higher education, supply, short-cycle programs
The most recent
Lukas Delgado-Prieto, Andrea Sofía Otero-Cortés, Andrés Calderón
Julián Andrés Parra-Polanía, Carmiña Ofelia Vargas-Riaño
Abstract
We investigate the entry and exit of short-cycle higher education programs (SCPs), which last two or three years and can address local skill needs. Exploiting administrative data from Colombia, we study markets defined by geographic location and field of study. We find that institutions open new programs in response to local labor market demand, competition, and costs. Within markets, they often close and open programs simultaneously, possibly due to capacity constraints. SCPs are more responsive to local labor market demand than bachelor’s programs; private and non-university SCP providers are the most responsive. These findings have implications for workforce development.