Wealthy go to university, dispossessed attend for-profit colleges, study shows

Nearly 80 percent of high-income students enrol at university, compared to three-in-ten low-income students, a new US study shows.

The Pell Institute's "Indicators of Opportunity in Higher Education" report says opportunity for post-secondary education rises as income rises.

"Despite numerous policies to make college more accessible, most low-income students never consider college, many choose to attend for-profit or two-year institutions, most avoid more expensive colleges, and the majority never graduate."

The report says:

• At public two-year colleges, families with income under US$25,000 account for 20 percent of students; those with incomes up to US$74,999 59 percent; and for incomes above that it is 21 percent.
• At public four-year universities, 11 percent are from the lowest income group, 48 percent from the middle-income group, and 41 percent from the highest.
• At private four-year universities, eight percent are from the lowest income group, 35 percent from the middle-income group, and 57 percent from the highest.

The report also cites official data showing six percent of low income students attended private for-profit institutions compared to two percent of middle-class students and one percent of high income students.

"The report demonstrates that family income significantly determines who goes to college, where they go, and ultimately who graduates," said Pell Institute director Colleen O'Brien.

The Pell report is at this web page.