Domestic Policy

College Bound September 5, 2006

KEY DATA: Students from intact families were 9 percent more likely to apply to college than students from disrupted families. Students from intact families were more likely to be admitted to college (92 percent, versus 89 percent of those who applied), more likely to attend a four-year college immediately after high-school graduation (62 percent, compared to 52 percent of those who were admitted), and more likely to attend a four-year college (51 percent, compared to 37 percent) than those who did not live with their biological parents. A student was 33 percent less likely to apply to a selective college if he or she did not live with both biological parents while in high school. Those experiencing family disruption were 20 percent less likely to attend a selective school immediately after high school and 22 percent less likely to ever attend a selective school….(more)

College pays. Not only do individuals reap the rewards of a college education, society as a whole benefits from an educated citizenry. As the value of a college education continues to grow, the factors that influence the decision to attend, or not attend, college gain greater importance. Among these factors is a student’s family background.

A study published in the Journal of Higher Education explored the relationship between family structure and high school seniors’ college choices. Using data from the High School and Beyond survey of over 26,000 students interviewed in the 1980s, the study found that, compared to their peers who did not live with both biological parents, students from intact families were more likely to apply to, be admitted to, and enter college immediately after high school. In addition, students from intact families were more likely to attend a four-year college.

These findings suggest that family structure affects a student’s pursuit of higher education and the likelihood of achieving those academic aspirations.

Click here to see September’s Top Ten Findings: Back to School

Other findings on child outcomes and family structure:

Parents on the verge of a breakup were less involved in their children’s education…(more)

Children raised in two-parent families from birth were less likely to exhibit behavioral problems…(more)