Abstract

In the recent period, social inequalities have become a research topic of great interest for many scientists in the world. The participation of individuals to education is an important determinant for their access to subsequent opportunities, especially labor market opportunities. Moreover, an important number of studies show that education is one of the most influential factors that explain the amount of resources available to individuals in all their life cycles. In this context, reducing school dropout and increasing the share of individuals graduating from higher education represent national objectives for Romania. This article aims to analyze factors that explain differences in participation to education. A special attention will be given to urban-rural gaps in educational attainment. While taking into account main theoretical developments in the field of educational inequalities, empirical data are analyzed in order to provide a clearer picture on the factors that influence the access of individuals to higher education in Romania. Results are useful for policy makers and managers in the education field for better designing policies and study programs that are inclusive and provide better life chances to all individuals.