DETERMINANTS OF HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE ON HIGHER EDUCATION IN INDIA

Drawing on 64th round National Sample Survey unit level data – this study attempts to examine the key determinants of household expenditure on higher education in India. Based on Ordinary least square model (OLS) the study finds that due to huge economic burden of expenditure on higher education a typical household chooses to spend less on the girl child. It further reveals the parental education and household income play pivotal role in determining households' educational expenditure along with individual's caste group – specifically, households belonging to backward caste groups spend less than general category households. Therefore, the study provides a rationale for cost sharing between the state and households for inclusive higher education.