The influence of social origin on the probability of obtaining a college degree

Abstract

The article analyzes the impact of parental schooling and family income on students’ chances of obtaining a college degree, considering variation in the economic return of undergraduate degrees. We rely on data from National Student Performance Exam (Enade) to estimate logistic regression models. The results show that, in general, students with more educated parents have a greater likelihood of obtaining a degree. However, in public institutions, parental schooling has no effect on the odds of finishing tertiary education. Furthermore, parents’ schooling exerts greater influence on the odds of conclusion of those degrees providing greater economic rewards in the job market. Family income increases students’ chances of obtaining a degree in both private and public institutions. Also, we find that the effect of family income is the same, regardless of the economic returns of students’ degree.