Kipp, S. M., Price, D. V., & Wohlford, J. K. (2002). Unequal opportunity: Disparities in college access among the 50 states. Indianapolis, IN: Lumina Foundation for Education. Retrieved July 4, 2004, from: This national study investigates academic access in all 50 states for students of varying levels of income and academic preparation. Two major dimensions were studied at the 2,800 postsecondary institutions in the study: admissibility and affordability. While most states provide low-income dependent students with access to public two-year institutions without borrowing, fewer states provide similar access to public four-year institutions.
The major findings of the study include: the percentage of admissible institutions varies widely among states; the percentage of affordable institutions varies widely among states; low-income dependent and independent students have fewer accessible options than median-income students; and borrowing is more frequently required to achieve affordability for low-income dependent students than it is for median-income dependent students. Part of this variability in access is due to differences across and within states in students' academic preparation, selectivity of institutions, variations in tuition policies, and variations regarding state financial aid programs.