Socio-Economic Determinants of Higher Education Access and Employment Outcomes: Evidence from Bhandara District, Maharashtra

Dhiraj Kadam () and Bhedraj B. Dhawale
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Dhiraj Kadam: R.T.M. Nagpur University, Department of Economics, P.G.T.D. of Economics (Auto)
Bhedraj B. Dhawale: Late Nirdhanrao Patil Waghaye Arts and Science College, Department of Economics

A chapter in Proceedings of the International Conference on Policies, Processes and Practices for Transforming Underdeveloped Economies into Developed Economies (PPP-UD 2025), 2025, pp 211-224 from Springer

Abstract: Abstract Higher education plays a pivotal role in fostering human capital and driving sustainable, inclusive national development. Among the various determinants of higher education access, socio-economic status (SES) remains one of the most critical, influencing students’ field of study selection and subsequent employment outcomes. This study examines the impact of SES on higher education access, academic discipline choice, and employment opportunities among students in Bhandara district, Maharashtra. A stratified random sample of 397 students from rural and urban areas across multiple disciplines was surveyed. Data on socio-economic status were collected using the Kuppuswamy Socioeconomic Scale (2022), while information on educational access was gathered through a structured questionnaire. Statistical analysis revealed a significant correlation between parental education and students’ choice of academic discipline, with caste background and family income exerting measurable influence. Gender differences in discipline choice were not statistically significant, indicating a gradual decline in traditional gender-based educational perceptions. The findings confirm that students’ SES substantially affects their academic trajectories and employment prospects. The study recommends inclusive, equity-oriented policies that account for socio-economic disparities to enhance both educational and employment outcomes in the region.

Keywords: Higher education access; employment outcomes; socio-economic status; Bhandara district (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:spr:advbcp:978-94-6463-894-3_15

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DOI: 10.2991/978-94-6463-894-3_15

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