Change and social recomposition in elite universities and programs in Chile (2009-2019)

Abstract

This work studies students’ socioeconomic composition in elite universities and programs in Chile between 2009 and 2019. To this end, we analyze eight highly prestigious and selective universities, focusing on three aspects: the evolution of the enrollment rate, the concentration of high socioeconomic status students on each institution, and the changes in the enrollment socioeconomic composition. The results show an expansion of the elite universities in the Región Metropolitana, which have concentrated a growing share of high socioeconomic status students. In addition, however, those universities that have developed deeper equity and inclusion initiatives have reached greater social heterogeneity levels, not so those that have not developed this kind of initiative and are geographically isolated. Finally, universities located outside the Región Metropolitana have been more socially diverse during this time.