Abstract
With a college degree being increasingly important in the modern world, it is necessary to examine the access that different individuals have to higher education. Unfortunately, a vast amount of research has shown that opportunities are not equal for everyone. This is apparent throughout one's experience in higher education. Interestingly, research has shown that inequalities manifest themselves throughout all points of one's relationship with higher education. Inequalities are found from admission to funding/financial aid once accepted, to everyday relationships while at a university (i.e., with professors, administrators, and peers), to graduation and beyond. This chapter will examine the vast amount of research related to these various areas individually and then tie them together to illuminate the inequalities that exist in higher education in general.
TopBackground
In a variety of ways, family background and socioeconomic status (SES) can significantly impact adult outcomes and life trajectories (Croak, 2013). Within all social institutions in the United States, SES seems to play an important role. An example of this is that SES contributes to disparities in education from early in one’s life all the way through their decision to seek a college degree (Along, 2011; Goldrick-Rab & Pfeffer, 2009; Grodsky & Jones, 2006; Wang & Shulruf, 2013).
Traditionally, after an individual graduates from high school they choose one of two routes towards their next step in life. Some seek an undergraduate degree while others enter the workforce. Ultimately, this dichotomous view of life after high school can potentially limit one’s opportunities and even contribute to the inequalities that exist within higher education (DesJardins et al., 2002). Higher education is often portrayed as the next logical step after completing high school to prepare for a successful life (Klasik, 2012). Some have argued that the media contributes to this viewpoint. That is, within the media, an idea exists that obtaining a college degree can be a “catch-all” fix for disadvantaged groups (Deil-Amen & DeLuca, 2010). This can become an issue, however, for many disadvantaged students. Some may aspire to attend college because of this promise of prosperity. However, the relationship between college aspiration and actual enrollment varies across both race and socioeconomic status (Klasik, 2012). Many who aspire to attend college may not actually be admitted and the students who comprise this group often have disadvantaged backgrounds. In reality though, it may be in an individual’s best interest not to attend college directly after graduating from high school. Some students may not be well prepared or dedicated to a college education and even if they are admitted, they might not obtain a degree. At that point, they not only lack a degree, but they are also likely in a tremendous amount of debt. Unfortunately, students from disadvantaged groups are in this situation more often (Attewell et al., 2011).
Key Terms in this Chapter
First-Generation College Student: An individual who is the first in their immediate or extended family to seek a college degree—move beyond a high school education.
Degree Pathway: The route that a college student takes from when they first begin college as a freshman until they graduate and obtain an actual degree.
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA): A law which requires that a college student’s educational and related records are protected in terms of privacy.
Title IX: A civil rights law passed by the United States Congress which decrees that universities receiving federal funding cannot discriminate on the basis of sex.
Socioeconomic Status (SES): The social ranking of an individual or their family, usually computed by taking into account things like economic well-being, occupational status, educational background, and so forth.
Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (“Clery Act”): Legislation that requires any university that receives federal funding to collect and report crime-related statistics on and immediately around their campus.