The rich are more likely to go to college
Photo: Sebastiaan Vandenbogaerde
Poor students less likely to study in higher education
A report commissioned by the Knesset Research and Information Center found that children from wealthier families are not only more likely to go on to higher education than their poorer peers, but are also more likely to study subjects which pay more as well.
The chances of a young person from a wealthy background going to college and receiving a bachelors degree is four times higher than a young person from a poor background, according to a survey conducted by the Knesset Research and Information Center.
The research was done at the request of MK Eli Cohen (Kulanu).
This means that the gulf between rich and poor when it comes to education can be seen both in terms of high school matriculation exams as well as when it comes to higher education.
The study showed that 81.4 percent of all children born to families in the top two income brackets go to college, compared to only 22.6 percent of all families in the bottom two income brackets.
Students relax at Tel Aviv University (Photo: Motti Kimchi)
It seems that familial wealth also influences which professions students study, with most wealthy students choosing to study subjects such as natural sciences, computers sciences, law, and engineering – all professions which lead to larger salaries.
Meanwhile, students from poorer socio-economic backgrounds are more likely study subjects such as teaching and paramedical studies – professions with lower average salaries.
The research also showed that the socio-economic level of the family played a large part in the decision of where to pursue a degree. Students from higher socio-economic statuses studied primarily in universities, whereas students whose families were from lower socio-economic statuses studied in colleges.
After receiving the research results, MK Cohen said that “children born in disadvantaged homes aren’t less smart than those who are born to families with a stronger financial base. The facts in the report are a warning regarding the educational situation in Israel, and the perpetuation of social inequalities. The results of the report attest to the structural inequalities which exist in Israel. The basis of closing gaps in social equality and ensuring social mobility is via education, and therefore, differential budgeting should be promoted in the various regional authorities.”
