Journal article
Unravelling the Relationship Between Social Class and Multiple Aspects of Success in Higher Education: A Cross-Institutional Study
Student Success, Vol.17(1), pp.1-14
2026
Abstract
Although previous research has found social class differences in students’ academic performance at university, success in higher education is far more multi-faceted. This study surveyed 2,665 undergraduate students from six Australian universities to investigate mediators of class differences in success, where success was operationalised using diverse and comprehensive measures (e.g., academic self-efficacy, cognitive engagement). Importantly, class was operationalised as a continuous variable rather than arbitrary quartiles. Mediation analyses showed consistent relationships between class and sense of success. Economic capital was identified as the main mediator, followed by social connections, cultural expectations, and aspirations. Some criteria—particularly greater interdependent motivation to be a role model for their community and assist their families after university—were more important in success evaluations for students from backgrounds with lower measures of socioeconomic class. Interdependent motivations suppressed some of the negative effects of lower class, providing evidence of alternative capitals or personal motivational resources. We conclude that conceptions of educational success that elide non-academic forms of success and minimise student’s motivations, especially community-based motivations, offer a limited and limiting understanding of the student experience.
Details
- Title
- Unravelling the Relationship Between Social Class and Multiple Aspects of Success in Higher Education: A Cross-Institutional Study
- Authors
- Ryan Naylor (Author) - The University of SydneyMark Rubin (Author) - Durham UniversityOlivia Evans (Author) - Australian National UniversityPenny Jane Burke (Author) - University of Newcastle AustraliaAnna Bennett (Author) - University of Newcastle AustraliaKristen Allen (Author) - University of Newcastle AustraliaNida Denson (Author) - Western Sydney UniversityHeather Douglas (Author) - University of Newcastle AustraliaMonica Gendi (Author) - Australian National UniversityPeter Howley (Author) - Macquarie UniversitySuzanne Macqueen (Author) - University of Newcastle AustraliaCarmen Mills (Author) - The University of QueenslandSarah O'Shea (Author) - Charles Sturt UniversityMaria Raciti (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Business and Creative Industries
- Publication details
- Student Success, Vol.17(1), pp.1-14
- Publisher
- Queensland University of Technology
- Date published
- 2026
- DOI
- 10.63608/ssj.3874
- ISSN
- 2205-0795
- Copyright note
- Copyright (c) 2022 Ryan Naylor, Mark Rubin, Olivia Evans, Penny Jane Burke, Anna Bennett, Kristen Allen, Nida Denson, Heather E. Douglas, Monica Gendi, Peter Howley, Suzanne Macqueen, Carmen Mills, Sarah O'Shea, Maria Raciti. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Authors retain copyright and grant the Journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution International Licence (CC BY 4.0) that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Grants
- Success from the Perspective of the Successful: Low SES Students, Success and Completion in Higher Education, 0980026043, Department of Education, Employment and Training
- Organisation Unit
- School of Business and Creative Industries; Indigenous and Transcultural Research Centre
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991195051002621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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