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Assessing inequality in access to higher education in Russia: Determinants of enrollment and student migration

Author

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  • Anastasiia Litvinova

    (Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation;)

Abstract

This study examines the determinants of inequality in access to higher education in Russia, focusing on both university enrollment and interregional educational migration. Using microdata from the longitudinal survey “Trajectories in Education and Careers” (TrEC), we apply a censored bivariate probit model that jointly estimates these decisions while accounting for sample selection. The results indicate that family socioeconomic status and educational resources play a decisive role in shaping enrollment outcomes. In particular, investments in supplementary preparation, parental education, and school characteristics significantly increase the probability of admission. Additionally, peer effects, reflected in the classmates’ and friends’ educational aspirations, contribute to the formation of educational trajectories. In contrast, educational migration is primarily driven by regional factors, including differences in labor market conditions, tuition costs, and the spatial distribution of higher education institutions. The findings also reveal no significant correlation between unobserved factors affecting enrollment and migration, suggesting that these processes are of a different nature. Overall, the study highlights the need for differentiated policy measures aimed at both reducing socioeconomic inequality and addressing regional disparities in access to higher education.

Suggested Citation

  • Anastasiia Litvinova, 2026. "Assessing inequality in access to higher education in Russia: Determinants of enrollment and student migration," Applied Econometrics, Russian Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA), vol. 83, pages 116-137.
    • Handle: RePEc:ris:apltrx:023602
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration

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