39

50

26

6

9

Sources: College graduation rates by family income and test scores: analysis of the National Education Longitudinal Study of 1988 by Matthew M. Chingos, Brookings Institution; share of students who enter and complete college: analysis of National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, 1979 and 1997 by Susan Dynarski and Martha Bailey, University of Michigan, in “Whither Opportunity: Rising Inequality, Schools, and Children’s Life Chances,” edited by Greg J. Duncan and Richard J. Murnane;” enrichment spending: Greg J. Duncan and Richard J. Murnane, “Whither Opportunity.”

’05-’06

Born ’72-’73

Born ’61-’64

’79-’82

70

complete college

30%

19

$835

$1,315

$8,872

$3,536

29

80

Born ’61-’64

’79-’82

Richest

19

58%

Poorest

Share of all students who entered college

Richest

Above-average test scores

Below-average test scores

Poorest

Bottom middle

Upper middle

Richest

Poorest

Poorest

Richest quarter of students

9

54

5

$10,000

Adjusted for inflation

80%

80%

36%

Annual enrichment spending on children

Share of all students who completed college

College graduation rates by family income and test scores

The Advantage

The Growing Gap

*Includes summer session after the school year. **Ms. Gonzales took out a private loan in her freshman year after failing to fill out the paperwork required for other aid in time. Note: Ms. O’Neal declined $1,980 in unsubsizdized loans she was offered her junior year.

Loans $44,240 in total

Source: The families and the universities

AVERAGE ANNUAL INCOME

$35,742

FAMILY’S

AVERAGE ANNUAL INCOME

$27,668

FAMILY’S

TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY, San Marcos

Melissa O’Neal

EMORY UNIVERSITY, Atlanta

Angelica Gonzales

Two Students, $105,000 of Debt, No Diplomas

$2,219

$12,761

$3,500

Freshman

$18,480

$13,730

$4,500

$1,230

Sophomore

$19,460

$2,664

$15,105

$12,500

Junior*

$30,269

$12,150

$12,500

$460

Senior*

$25,110

Fifth year

$10,050

$11,240

$21,290

No gap

Freshman

$3,581

$45,500**

$627

$49,708

$5,338

Sophomore

$40,294

$6,500

$52,132

$5,929

Junior

$40,127

$7,500

$53,556

$12,010

Senior

$42,482

$1,500

$55,992

Grants

Total cost

Total cost

Gap to make up

Grants

Loans $61,000 in total

Gap to make up