A quantitative study of the use of newsmagazine rankings in college choice and the effects of social capital.

Abstract

This dissertation examined the association between use of newsmagazine rankings in college choice decision-making and student social capital. Using a nationally representative sample of college freshmen (CIRP 2000), quantitative analyses (crosstabs, interactions, regressions) explored what types of social capital increased or decreased the odds of using newsmagazine rankings. The study also explored the question of whether rankings were used as a compensatory tool used to offset social disadvantages or as an extension of social advantages. A review of the social capital literature served as the basis of the conceptual framework (Lin, Coleman, Loury, Bourdieu, McDonough et al., Stanton-Salazar, Perna) used to explore the study's key questions. The variables used to operationalize social capital evolved out the review of studies conducted, primarily, on K-12 populations. The dependent variable importance of rankings to enrollment decision was an item on the CIRP 2000 survey instrument. Several forms of social capital (contacts and resources) increased the odds of using rankings. The forms of social capital found to be most influential tended to vary in their effects when examined by student subgroups based on race/ethnicity, gender, institutional level or by USNEWS rankings (Tiers). Based on the results of this study, rankings were characterized as both a compensatory tool for some students (e.g. Low income, Minority, First Generation) and an extension of advantage for others (e.g. High Income, Asian-Americans, Second Generation). This study found that students are reporting at higher rates that rankings are important to their college choice decision-making than are the advice of guidance counselors or teachers. Their sources of support, advice, expertise and encouragement reinforce the use of rankings. KEY WORDS: Social Capital, College Students, Newsmagazine Rankings, Minorities, College Choice, Asian-Americans, U.S. News and World Report, Universities, Colleges