Measuring the Cost of High School Noncompletion in Southeast Missouri

Abstract

The service region of Southeast Missouri State University includes many counties with above-average rates of high school noncompletion. There are significant economic and social costs associated with high school noncompletion. An econometric model is developed to measure the cost of high school noncompletion to Southeast Missouri counties. It is found that for every percentage point increase in a county's high school noncompletion rate, per capita income in the county falls by $S2. The higher than average noncompletion rates in Southeast Missouri lead to a loss of over $400 million in total income in the counties under study. (JO)