(09/07/06) NEWARK ? A study by the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education finds that race and income often help determine which New Jersey students go to college.

The study, which focuses on New Jersey residents between the ages of 18 and 24, shows an ethnic divide on the state?s campuses. Whereas 47 percent of whites attend college, only 27 percent of nonwhites in the age bracket are currently enrolled in higher education. Another major factor is money. One-third of the average family income is required to send their student to a New Jersey university and the numbers reflect that. Fifty-one percent of residents coming from wealthier families go to college as opposed to far fewer from low-income families.

Rutgers Newark campus is one of the most diverse with a relatively even mix of white, black, Asian and Latino students. An admissions official suggests that if colleges worked closer with the state?s secondary schools the situation would improve.