Socioeconomic and ascriptive factors clearly influence high school students' academic performance, which in turn influences eventual college choice. This study shows that the socioeconomically disadvantaged who survive academically prior to high school graduation are attending colleges costing approximately the same as those of more advantaged…

Examines the effects of previous community college attendance on college choice. Estimates university quality choices under both direct attendance and community college transfer paths for students in the High School and Beyond data set. Overall, students choose higher quality universities if they first attend community colleges, with the largest…

A New Hampshire study shows that first-generation students and students with college-educated parents consider attending similar postsecondary institutions. Having a low family income does not appear to restrict college-interested students from considering more exclusive and/or expensive institutions. Students' academic ability influences their…

Using data from the 1988 National Educational Longitudinal Study, examines postsecondary enrollment decisions of immigrant students. Finds that first- and second-year generation Asians are significantly more likely to enroll in both 2- and 4-year public colleges and universities, whereas second-generation Hispanics and native blacks have a higher…

College-preference studies can help administrators identify a potential pool of desirable students and implement new recruitment techniques. This study, which supports earlier findings, used a logistic regression model to investigate the effects of variables relating student characteristics and institutional factors on the decision to apply to a…

Using data from the Social Security Administration's "1973 Survey of Student Beneficiaries, this paper shows that the Social Security Student Benefit Program (terminated in 1982) positively influenced recipients' selection of quality private college programs. The program also affected parents' contributions and recipients' on campus…

Examines the effects of financial aid on the decision to attend a selective liberal arts college using data obtained from applicants accepted to Occidental College in 1989. Tuition and scholarships affect the probability of enrollment for financial aid applicants, but loans and work study assistance have no statistically significant effect. (six…

Examines the relative contributions of human and physical resources in the production of private undergraduate higher education. The parameters in the output equation suggest a traditional recipe: a relatively high ratio of quality faculty to good students in a facilitating environment reflected by academic expenditure. Better students are drawn…

This paper measures the effects of living near a ''high quality'' college on the college attended. If local colleges provide information about postsecondary education or role models for youth, they may generate ''spillover'' effects that increase the quality of the college attended, even for individuals who do not attend college locally. Using…

Applying a three-step methodology on a sample of Belgian college students, an econometric study discovered that students consider two dimensions of their prospective educational choice (economics and "a priori" chances of success) and that poorest students weigh the risk component heavily. Intervention would promote efficiency and…

Examines individual high school graduates' postsecondary enrollment decisions, focusing on effects of institutional cost and proximity. Estimates a multinomial logit model of enrollment probability, using data from the 1980 High School and Beyond Survey. Improving vocationally oriented youths' financial accessibility to two-year colleges is more…