Differences in the College Enrollment Decision across Race

Abstract

We find the determinants of the college enrollment decision differ greatly between whites and blacks. Within race, differences exist between black males and females, and to a lesser extent between white males and females. The largest differences are in the effects of parents' education, school quality, and family income. Of the four race-gender groups, black males are the most sensitive likely to their mother's education attainment and to changes in school quality. Unlike whites, we find almost no effect of income on the black college enrollment decision, particularly for black females. We conclude that policies that increase affordability do not expand the pool of college-bound blacks.