<p>What colleges have the highest average parent income? </p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>I don’t know how this would be determined, considering that those families with higher incomes are less likely to file for FA (and thus release tax records).</p>
<p>Best methodology might be to analyze CIRP data, although not all colleges participate. Those who do survey all freshmen. The income cuts don’t go to “silver spoon” levels but one could say “This school has the highest percentage of freshman who answered ‘Over $150,000.’”</p>
<p>All this assuming you could get each school’s data.</p>
<p>The answer would probably be among one of the northeastern LACs.</p>
<p>I’d have to agree with jpps1. The more wealthy you are the less likely you will apply for FA and the school will not have any of your financial information. But perhaps look at the percentage of students receiving financial aid or percentage paying full tuition.</p>
<p>mini’s ‘entitlement index’ addresses this subject in a way: here is one version of his views on it:</p>
<pre><code> For what it’s worth, here is an “entitlement” index, a combined measure of 1) the percentage of students who attended private schools for high school (the first number); and 2) the percentage of students who receive no need-based aid (the second number). Note that it is a year old. The top 10 LACS on the “entitlement” index below. Not meant perjoratively, just descriptively - you can ascribe whatever characteristics to it you want. (For the record, I attended number seven, and fit neither criteria.)
</code></pre>
<ol>
<li>Davidson 52/67 119</li>
<li>Washington and Lee 40/73 113</li>
<li>Trinity 57/53 119</li>
<li>Bates 48/60 108</li>
<li>Middlebury 45/60 105</li>
<li>Kenyon 46/59 105</li>
<li>Williams 46/58 104</li>
<li>Univ. of the South 48/55 103</li>
<li>Connecticut 48/54 102</li>
<li>Colby 40/60 100</li>
</ol>
<p>I wonder if there might be a problem with the inclusion of private school attendance in this “entitlement index.” Some colleges with a big regional appeal (Davidson, W & L, Sewanee, I’m lookin’ at you) whose region is known for not-so-great public schools…well, ambitious college-bound students are going to be more likely to attend private school, whether or not they are wealthy. </p>
<p>I hate to speculate, especially when I am sure there is data out there on this. I can’t go searching at the moment, but that’s what struck me when I saw the list. My gut instinct (could be wrong) is that it’s possible that more southern students attend private schools because of notoriously (perceived) poor quality at public schools (less flattering interpretations also possible–white flight, etc)</p>
<p>I think you may have a point. I used to live in Charlotte, near Davidson. And the Charlotte Mecklenburg schools are notoriously bad, at least some of them. I attended one for a year or two and had to leave. Most people who can attend private schools: there are so many because of the demand.</p>