Journal article

Authors list: Mueller, Lars; Klein, Daniel

Publication year: 2023

Pages: 300-330

Journal: Research in Higher Education

Volume number: 64

Issue number: 2

ISSN: 0361-0365

eISSN: 1573-188X

Open access status: Hybrid

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11162-022-09703-w

Publisher: Springer

Abstract: 
Students from a lower socioeconomic background have a higher risk of dropping out of higher education. The underlying mechanisms of this association between socioeconomic background and higher education dropout are not well understood. Previous research in higher education has followed Tinto's model of academic and social integration to explain dropout but has largely neglected social inequality therein. In contrast, social stratification research draws on rational choice theory to explain social inequality in educational attainment but has rarely been applied to explain dropout from higher education. In our paper, we combine these two strands of research. Utilizing data from the National Educational Panel Study (NEPS), we draw on a largescale, representative sample of students in Germany to quantify the relative contribution of each theoretical approach for explaining social inequality in dropout from higher education. Binary logistic regression models reveal that both students' integration and costs-benefit considerations are associated with their dropout risk net of each other. While academic and social integration appears to better predict dropout, rational choice theory accounts for a larger proportion of social inequality therein. We conclude that combining Tinto's model and rational choice theory provides a more comprehensive perspective of dropouts from higher education and social inequality therein.

Harvard Citation style: Mueller, L. and Klein, D. (2023) Social Inequality in Dropout from Higher Education in Germany. Towards Combining the Student Integration Model and Rational Choice Theory, Research in Higher Education, 64(2), pp. 300-330. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11162-022-09703-w

APA Citation style: Mueller, L., & Klein, D. (2023). Social Inequality in Dropout from Higher Education in Germany. Towards Combining the Student Integration Model and Rational Choice Theory. Research in Higher Education. 64(2), 300-330. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11162-022-09703-w