Factors Affecting College Attendance
The Journal of Human Resources, Vol. 10, No. 2, pp. 174-188, Spring 1975
16 Pages Posted: 2 Jun 2011
Date Written: 1975
Abstract
Three factors that may influence a high school graduate's decision to attend college are considered: (1) his ability, (2) the cost of attending college, and (3) the socioeconomic status of his parents. The results, based on a probit analysis, indicate that factors (1) and (3) are strong influences on the probability of attending college. Among the socioeconomic variables, however, family income is the least important influence on college attendance. The low income elasticity of demand for college implies that unrestricted income transfers to the low income population would not be an effective way of increasing their rate of college attendance.
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation