From Lecture to Venture: Business Formation by College Graduates

Joint with Emin Dinlersoz and Andrew Foote.

Latest draft: June 2026

This paper analyzes the business formation activities of postsecondary graduates. We compare business application rates, applications rates with the intent to hire employees, and actual formation rates by degree level, field of study, and college selectivity. We also examine formation activities over the career life-cycle post-college and based on their proximity to the graduate’s college.