Research Summary:
“University Participation and Income Differences: An Analysis of Applications by Ontario Secondary School Students” looks at the link between postsecondary education participation and family income status. By reviewing applications to Ontario universities from 1995 to 2005 the authors are able to determine that students in low income neighbourhoods are 13 per cent less likely to apply to university than those in high income neighbourhoods.
The report suggests that application rates are slightly higher for students attending Catholic schools, students in urban areas, students in areas within close proximity to a postsecondary institution, and students living in areas with a large East Asian population.
The study also looks at the impact on university applications of major policy changes that occurred during the 1990s including the elimination of the OAC year and the deregulation of tuition.
About the authors:
Dr. Martin D. Dooley is a Professor in the Department of Economics at McMaster University. He is a Research Associate Member with the Offord Centre for Child Studies.
Dr. A. Abigail Payne is an Associate Professor in the Department of Economics at McMaster University. She is also a Canada Research Chair in Public Economics and the Director of the Public Economics Data Analysis Laboratory at McMaster University.
Dr. A. Leslie Robb is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Economics at McMaster University. He is the past recipient of the Harry Johnson Prize from the Canadian Economics Association.