Undergraduate Paper Contest

If you are an undergraduate student who is interested in this contest:

  • Please see the instructions and sample papers here.
  • Remember to register for the conference by the deadline.

Winners from the PEA Best Undergraduate Paper Contest

Washington & Jefferson College – 2023

1. Angel Alcantara

Indiana University of Pennsylvania

“The Determinants of Poverty in Pennsylvania Counties” 

Gannon University – 2022

1. Taylor M. Friedman

Indiana University of Pennsylvania

“The Effects of Unemployment on Crime in California: A Reexamination at the County Level” 

2. Valerie Hartnett

Bryant University

“Brain Waste among U.S. Immigrants: An Empirical Analysis of the Determinants of Occupational Participation among Foreign-Born Workers” 

3. Benjamin K. Swanson

Indiana University of Pennsylvania

“Moneyball and the Market Efficiency of Player Salaries in Major League Baseball” 

Misericordia University “Virtual” – 2021

1. Noah C. Ellison

Indiana University of Pennsylvania

“The Consequences of Cannabis: The Effect of Marijuana Legalization on Illegal Narcotic Markets” 

2. Danika M. Polka

Indiana University of Pennsylvania

“Determining a Batter’s Salary in the MLB: A Panel Data Analysis” 

3. Michael G. Pesta

Indiana University of Pennsylvania  

“Determinants of NHL Goalie Salaries” 

Kutztown University of Pennsylvania – 2019

1. Kaitlin M. Albright and Jesalyn N. Fada

Indiana University of Pennsylvania  

“How Demographic and Economic Variables Affect the Female Labor Force Participation Rate” 

2. Elena Pikounis

Lycoming College

“The Multiplier Effect of Military Spending on Economic Growth: An Empirical Analysis of the United States” 

3. Chris Funge

Muhlenberg College

“Assessing Bitcoin: Can Macroeconomic Variables Explain Movements in the Popular Cryptocurrency’s Price?” 

Penn State-Altoona – 2018

No Entries

Alvernia University – 2017

1. Samantha Anderson

Youngstown State University

“Differential Effects on Time Allocation Decision-Making Regarding Sleep for University Students” 

2. Jordan T. Gwinn and Robert L. Schwartz

Indiana University of Pennsylvania

“A Hand Much Bitten: A Panel Data Analysis of State Dependency on Federal Funds and Voting Behavior” 

3. Savannah Morrissey Martin

Gettysburg College

“The Motherhood Wage Penalty: A Propensity Score Matching Approach” 

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania – 2016

1. Derek W. Hanely

Indiana University of Pennsylvania

“The Effects of the Marcellus Shale Gas Boom in Pennsylvania on U.S. Natural Gas Prices” 

Penn State-Berks – 2015

1. Jessica M. Black and Savanna Bonds

Indiana University of Pennsylvania

“Dropping Out of High School: An Analysis of Pennsylvania Counties” 

2. Chi Zhang

Swarthmore College

“Gender Differences in Housework and Wages” 

Edinboro University of Pennsylvania – 2014

1. Justin P. Pendel

Youngstown State University  

“Poverty in America: How Family Structure is a Significant Factor in Determining Who is Above and Below the Line” 

2. Devin L. Gray and Sarah R. Lynn

Indiana University of Pennsylvania

“The Social and Industrial Determinants of Imports and Exports” 

University of Scanton – 2013

1. Angela M. Rowland

Indiana University of Pennsylvania

“What Affects New Zealand Wine Prices? Estimation of the Effects of Sensorial, Reputational, and Quality Factors in the Hedonic Price Model” 

2. Ashley M. Alt and Daniel R. Oberkofler

Indiana University of Pennsylvania

“The Effects of Power, Prestige and Performance on Salary in the National Hockey League” 

Clarion University of Pennsylvania – 2012

1. Jennifer M. Johnson

Indiana University of Pennsylvania  

“The Effect of Immigration on State Wages” 

Dickinson College – 2011

1. Mitchell W. DeRubis and Christian N. Minich

Indiana University of Pennsylvania  

“Access to Formal Credit and Rural Economic Development: An Examination of Prevailing Assumptions in the Land Rental Market of Rural India”