Abstract
This study delves into the link between the cost to attain an undergraduate degree and the choice of university among academically stronger students. By looking at Ontario Undergraduate Application Centre data as well as the average family income in the student’s neighbourhood, researchers were able to conclude that the number of strong registrants at a university does not change substantially when there is a change in the net cost (tuition minus entry scholarship) of attending the institution. Entry scholar-ships usually are granted solely on the basis of high school grades and are guaranteed to any qualified applicant. There are, however, changes in the type of strong student that registers: when net cost rises, more students from high-income neighbourhoods and fewer from low to medium-income neighbourhoods will apply for the Arts and Sci-ence programs. There is no discernible difference in professional programs like Commerce and Engineering. The study also concludes that there are only very small differences among university students from low-, medium- and high-income neighborhoods in the likelihood of winning an entry scholarship.
Bibliographic Notes
The brief was written by Gillian Wheatley.
Recommended Citation
Dooley, Martin D.; Payne, A. Abigail; and Robb, A. Leslie
(2013)
"Research Brief No. 11 - How Costs Affect Student Choice of University,"
Population Change and Lifecourse Strategic Knowledge Cluster Research/Policy Brief: Vol. 1:
No.
4, Article 3.
Available at:
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/pclc_rpb/vol1/iss4/3