@article {B{\"a}chli0721-11805R2, author = {Mirjam B{\"a}chli and Teodora Tsankova}, title = {Free Movement of Workers and Native Demand for Tertiary Education}, elocation-id = {0721-11805R2}, year = {2023}, doi = {10.3368/jhr.0721-11805R2}, publisher = {University of Wisconsin Press}, abstract = {We investigate how natives{\textquoteright} demand for tertiary education responds to a reform that relaxed employment restrictions for foreign workers in Switzerland. The policy change led to a sharp increase in cross-border commuting into Swiss areas close to the border. We find that enrollment in universities with a focus on applied studies rises in affected commuting zones, and this increase is driven by natives with a vocational background. Enrollment rises mostly in non-STEM fields that foster skills less transferable across countries. We show that enrollment results are consistent with a rising wage premium for tertiary non-STEM degrees.}, issn = {0022-166X}, URL = {https://jhr.uwpress.org/content/early/2023/03/02/jhr.0721-11805R2}, eprint = {https://jhr.uwpress.org/content/early/2023/03/02/jhr.0721-11805R2.full.pdf}, journal = {Journal of Human Resources} }