Socioeconomic profile and study choice. The case of university students in Greece

The aim of this research is to examine whether or not, and to what extent, the social status of university students influences their decision making or their preference concerning their choice of academic major. In order to attain this objective, the social characteristics of the students’ families have been taken into consideration, which, according to studies and experience, affect young people’s preferences and choices and make them choose different academic paths. The research sample consisted of 420 students from various Faculties of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Results indicate that there is a close correlation between a student’s preference regarding their university choice, and their social and class background.