Does Geodemographic Segmentation Influence Educational Opportunity? A Spatial Investigation of Enrollment at One Taiwanese University

• In Event: College Access for Asian and Asian Americans Across the Global Diaspora

Abstract

In this study, we adopt a geo-spatial perspective to examine the spatial distribution of a 12-years enrollment pattern in a Taiwanese highly selective technological university. Geocoding 17,381 college students’ home addresses at the village level, our dataset includes the geodemographic variables of the villages and the number of enrolled students from each village. Our analysis contributes to the literature by showing that geodemographic segmentation of enrollment patterns is only partially driven by socioeconomic conditions of villages and primarily driven but geographic proximity. Additionally, we confirm that spatial clustering is evident and that it influences enrollment patterns. Finally, villages with more well-educated residents were more likely to benefit when the university adopted a non-traditional admission pipeline.

Authors

• Yuan Chih Fu, National Taipei University of Technology

• Frank Fernandez, University of Florida

• Jui Hung Kao

• Kuo Hao Tseng