New Study Reveals Income Disparities in Ivy-Plus College Admissions

A recent study examining college admissions has revealed significant disparities based on family income, particularly regarding Ivy-Plus institutions. Researchers Raj Chetty, David J. Deming, and John N. Friedman utilized anonymized admissions data from multiple colleges, linking it with income tax records and standardized test scores such as the SAT and ACT. Their findings indicate that children from families in the top 1% of income earners are more than twice as likely to enroll in Ivy-Plus colleges compared to middle-class peers with similar test scores.

The analysis highlights that two-thirds of the gap in admissions rates can be attributed to higher acceptance rates for students from affluent backgrounds. The remaining third is influenced by differences in application and matriculation rates. Notably, this admissions advantage does not extend to flagship public colleges, where high-income students do not enjoy similar benefits.

Factors Influencing Admissions Disparities

The study identifies three primary factors contributing to the admissions advantage experienced by high-income families at Ivy-Plus colleges. First, preferences for children of alumni play a significant role in admissions decisions. Second, these institutions place considerable weight on non-academic credentials, which can disproportionately benefit wealthier applicants. Lastly, the athletic recruitment process often favors students from affluent backgrounds.

The researchers employed a novel approach to isolate variations in admissions decisions for waitlisted applicants. Their findings suggest that attending an Ivy-Plus college, rather than the average flagship public college, increases a student’s likelihood of reaching the top 1% of the earnings distribution by 50%. Additionally, students from Ivy-Plus colleges are nearly twice as likely to attend elite graduate schools and almost three times more likely to secure positions at prestigious firms.

The Role of Academic Credentials

Interestingly, the study underscores that the three factors providing an advantage to high-income students are either uncorrelated or negatively correlated with post-college success. In contrast, academic credentials, such as SAT and ACT scores, are proven to be strong predictors of success after college. This suggests that standardized tests can help lower-income students gain access to top-tier institutions compared to alternative metrics.

These findings raise important questions about the equity of the admissions process at prestigious universities. As the gap between income levels continues to impact students’ educational opportunities, the study advocates for a reevaluation of admissions practices to foster greater inclusivity and fairness.

The research conducted by Chetty, Deming, and Friedman provides critical insights into the dynamics of college admissions, emphasizing the need for reforms that ensure all students, regardless of their economic background, have equitable access to higher education.