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Public University in Argentina: Subsidizing the Rich?

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  • Martin Gonzalez Rozada

    (Cedes, Sanchez de Bustamante 27, Buenos Aires, Argentina)

  • Alicia Menendez

    (Princeton University)

Abstract

We analyze some characteristics of the higher education system in Argentina regarding equity and efficiency. Individuals attending the university belong to the top deciles of the income distribution and to relatively highly educated families. Almost 90 percent of the students in tuition-free public universities have higher than median per capita family income and almost 50 percent attended tuition-financed private high schools. We compare these students with those who attend non tuition-free private colleges. Although students in private universities seem to have higher per capita family income, this difference is not large enough to distinguish the two groups after controlling for other variables. These facts imply that there is an implicit transfer to the richest individuals in the society. We argue that equity and efficiency of the system can be improved by charging tuition-fees. Complementary, selective scholarships and loans could be offered to attract the most talented students from poor families.

Suggested Citation

  • Martin Gonzalez Rozada & Alicia Menendez, 2002. "Public University in Argentina: Subsidizing the Rich?," Working Papers 210, Princeton University, Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, Research Program in Development Studies..
    • Handle: RePEc:pri:rpdevs:rozada_menendez_public_university_in_argentina_eer.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Andrade, Eduardo C., 2007. "Higher Education: (Almost) Free Tuition vs. Quotas vs. Targeted Vouchers," Insper Working Papers wpe_97, Insper Working Paper, Insper Instituto de Ensino e Pesquisa.
    2. Hanns de la Fuente-Mella & Ricardo Campos-Espinoza & Nelson Lay-Raby & Omar Lamelés-Corvalán & Mario Pino-Moya & Reynier Ramírez-Molina, 2022. "Multinomial Cross-Sectional Regression Models to Estimate and Predict the Determinants of Academic Performance: The Case of Auditor Accountant of the Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaíso," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-15, July.
    3. Gruber, Lloyd & Kosack, Stephen, 2014. "The tertiary tilt: education and inequality in the developing world," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 54202, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    4. Liu, Jin-Tan & Chou, Shin-Yi & Liu, Jin-Long, 2006. "Asymmetries in progression in higher education in Taiwan: Parental education and income effects," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 25(6), pages 647-658, December.
    5. David Flacher & Hugo Harari-Kermadec & Léonard Moulin, 2011. "Contributory education scheme: Theoretical basis and application," Investigaciones de Economía de la Educación volume 6, in: Antonio Caparrós Ruiz (ed.), Investigaciones de Economía de la Educación 6, edition 1, volume 6, chapter 30, pages 495-502, Asociación de Economía de la Educación.
    6. Gruber, Lloyd & Kosack, Stephen, 2014. "The Tertiary Tilt: Education and Inequality in the Developing World," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 54(C), pages 253-272.
    7. Polat, Sezgin, 2016. "Some Economic Consequences of Higher Education Expansion in Turkey," MPRA Paper 72602, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    8. Caner, Asena & Okten, Cagla, 2013. "Higher education in Turkey: Subsidizing the rich or the poor?," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 35(C), pages 75-92.
    9. Carlos Renato De Melo Castro & Maria Eduarda Tannuri-Pianto, 2018. "Educação Superior Pública No Brasil: Custos, Benefícios E Efeitos Distributivos," Anais do XLIV Encontro Nacional de Economia [Proceedings of the 44th Brazilian Economics Meeting] 64, ANPEC - Associação Nacional dos Centros de Pós-Graduação em Economia [Brazilian Association of Graduate Programs in Economics].
    10. Čepar Žiga & Bojnec Štefan, 2010. "Higher Education Demand Factors and the Demand for Tourism Education in Slovenia," Organizacija, Sciendo, vol. 43(6), pages 257-266, November.
    11. Juan Ponce & Yessenia Loayza, 2012. "Elimination of User-fees in Tertiary Education: A Distributive Analysis for Ecuador," International Journal of Higher Education, Sciedu Press, vol. 1(1), pages 138-138, May.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    University education; tuition fees; subsidy; equity; Argentina;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I2 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education
    • H52 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Government Expenditures and Education

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