Limited agreement among parents for financing children's college expenses, with a mere 9% in support.
In a recent study conducted by Maximum Education, the spending habits of Russian parents on higher education for their children were explored. The survey polled 1250 parents whose children are in grades 5-11 in schools across different regions of Russia.
The survey revealed that among parents planning to enroll their children in St. Petersburg colleges, 67% expect expenses up to 100,000 rubles, and 33% expect 100,000 - 200,000 rubles. Similarly, among parents planning to enroll their children in Moscow colleges, 52% expect expenses up to 100,000 rubles, and 48% expect 100,000 - 200,000 rubles.
For those whose children will attend less prestigious regional universities, 71% are willing to spend no more than 200,000 rubles, with 29% considering a budget between 200,000 and 400,000 rubles. Among parents targeting commercial education in a Moscow college or university, 24% plan to find part-time work, and 24% plan to fund their child's education if their child fails to secure a state-funded spot.
Interestingly, if their child cannot secure a state-funded spot in college, 40% of those preferring this path would fund their education, while 40% of those initially aiming for a commercial higher education would consider vocational education as an alternative.
The study also found that only 13% of the surveyed parents are ready to pay for their child's vocational education, and 9% for higher education. Moreover, 40% of the surveyed parents hope that their children will be admitted to college on a state-funded basis, and 38% to university.
The increased budget-funded university places (619,000 this year) indicate strong government support to reduce the financial burden on families. Russian higher education is also promoted abroad for its affordability and quality, suggesting cost-consciousness is a factor in educational choices. However, specific statistics on parental willingness to pay or spending limits on higher education expenses in Russia were not provided in the survey results.
For more precise statistics on Russian parents’ willingness to fund higher education and spending amounts, one may need to consult market research reports, education surveys, or governmental studies not included in the current results.
In light of the study, it appears that many Russian parents often plan their personal-finance allocations carefully when considering higher education options, with budgeting playing a crucial role. For instance, 67% of parents hoping to enroll their children in St. Petersburg colleges anticipate expenses within a range of 100,000 to 200,000 rubles, while among those considering Moscow colleges, 52% expect costs up to 100,000 rubles, with another 48% expecting expenses between 100,000 and 200,000 rubles.
