These days, processes of corruption in colleges and universities are vividly reflected in the mass consciousness. In spite of numerous reports about these processes in the mass media, however, there are no exact data about the prevalence of bribery in higher education. Just what phenomena of bribery exist in higher education, and to what extent? How does such a large social group as college students relate to this? To what extent does public perception coincide with actual figures reflecting the prevalence of corruption in colleges and universities? Is it even appropriate to use the term "corruption" as applied to the sphere of higher education? The authors touch upon these questions in this article, which is based on a number of sociological surveys in higher educational institutions of the capital city and in the regions.