Disparity in Korean University Admissions Tied to Parental Economic Power, Bank of Korea Reports

Socioeconomic Factors Over Academic Potential

SOUTH KOREA: An analysis conducted by the Bank of Korea (BOK) reveals that the disparity in admissions to Korea’s top universities is significantly influenced by parental economic power rather than academic potential. The BOK’s report, titled “Social Problems Caused by Overly Competitive Entrance Examinations and Relevant Countermeasures,” published on August 28, 2024, highlights that approximately 75% of the disparity in university admissions can be attributed to socioeconomic factors, including income and regional background.

According to the BOK, the findings indicate that “inequalities in education opportunities, such as differences in private education expenditure, are driven by income level of parents and region of residence rather than a student’s academic potential.” This discrepancy results in a skewed enrollment pattern, particularly benefiting students from high-income families and those residing in regions known for their concentration of private education institutions.

Analysis of Admission Trends

The BOK’s report utilized data from the Korean Education Longitudinal Study, tracking students from their first year of middle school in 2005 to their university admissions in 2012. This analysis revealed that enrollment rates in top universities were significantly higher among students from the highest income quintile. Specifically, students from the top 20% income bracket were 1.5 times more likely to enroll in elite universities compared to those from the next highest quintile, and 5.4 times more likely than those from the lowest income bracket.

The report also noted a stark contrast between students from Seoul and those from other regions. For instance, in 2018, students from Seoul represented 16% of all high school graduates but accounted for 32% of Seoul National University (SNU) students. This disparity was even more pronounced in the Gangnam districts, which, despite contributing only 4% of high school graduates, made up 12% of SNU’s student body.

Proposed Solutions to Address Inequities

To combat these disparities, the BOK has proposed the adoption of admissions quotas based on regional school-age population ratios. The aim is to alleviate the impact of socioeconomic and geographic factors on university admissions. The BOK suggests that universities could “reduce disparities caused by income and geographic factors and increase the admissions rate so that it accurately mirrors students’ potential” by setting aside a majority of their admissions seats in proportion to the regional school-age population.

The BOK’s analysis estimates that implementing such a regional quota system could decrease the disparity in admissions rates by 64%, from 0.14 percentage points to 0.05 percentage points. However, the report acknowledges that while this system may disadvantage some marginalized groups in Seoul and benefit high-income families outside the capital, the overall benefits of reducing socioeconomic impacts on admissions are likely to outweigh these drawbacks.