The Impact of Ascribed Factors on Educational Attainment after Higher Education Expansion in China: Evidence from CGSS 2021

Abstract

Since the implementation of China’s higher education enrollment expansion policy in 1999, the rapid growth of individuals receiving higher education has achieved a level of popularization. This study utilized data from CGSS2021 to empirically examine the correlation between ascribed factors and educational attainment among two groups, namely the school-age population affected by the enrollment expansion policy and those impacted by the resumption of the college entrance examination. The findings indicated that the impact of gender on educational attainment has been alleviated, while ethnicity has emerged as a considerable influencing factor in light of the expansion policy. Although household registration remains a significant factor affecting educational attainment, its negative correlation has diminished when compared to the previous status. Family cultural and socio-economic backgrounds increasingly contributed to individuals’ educational acquisition following the implementation of the enrollment expansion policy.