This thesis explores the socioeconomic characteristics which influence the decision of
joining HE in Egypt. In the attempt to evaluate the efficiency of the free-university
educational policy, the thesis assesses the characteristics of the beneficiaries. It also
identifies the socioeconomic characteristics of students of private vs. free public
universities in Egypt. It examines the socioeconomic correlates of joining higher education
in Egypt; and among university students the correlates of the choice join a public versus a
private university. It uses probit and logit models adjusted for self-selection bias. The study
focuses on three key variables to assess equity issues: gender, wealth, and urban/rural/slum
residence. Results show that the socioeconomic background of students’ families is highly
correlated with university attendance. The main determinants for joining university are
wealth, high school score, and type of secondary school attended. The staggering finding is
that socio-economic characteristics fail to differentiate between those who attend tuitionfree
public and those who attend private HE institutions that charge high fees.