How far higher education expansion in Argentina is it contributing to greater social equality?

This paper analysis the dynamics of expansion of higher education in Argentina in the last decade.  Firstly, it examines the enrollment and institutional growth both in the private and public sector, distinguishing between universities and tertiary institutions. On the second place, it looks into the latest diversification of graduate studies in the country, as well as its knowledge-base orientations. Last, it inquires about the relationship between higher education expansion and income distribution, considering the higher education enrollment and graduation of different social groups, based on quantitative data from the argentine Permanent Household Survey. The paper suggests that under certain conditions the current mass expansion of higher education can contribute to greater inequality and differentiation. Finally, it discusses the role that public higher education policies can play in contributing to changes in knowledge social distribution as well as in reducing the income distribution gap.