Equity and higher education in Latin America: The role of third education and university degree courses

Abstract

This paper examines the degree of educational equity in third and university education in some countries of Latin America. The research is based on microdata collected via household surveys. The main conclusions can be summarized in five proposals: from 30% to 50% of students who achieve to conclude their medium level studies gain access to higher education; in most of the analyzed countries there are equal opportunities for women and men with regard to access to higher education. The net rate of education in accordance with per capita income reveals that coverage is more equitable in the third level than at the university level; the typical female third-level student belongs to the first generation of their family to gain access to higher education and in most cases work while studying; those with access to the third –level evidence higher probabilities to graduate than those in university