This report investigates the attitudes of senior school students towards higher education. It is based on data from a previous survey of over 7 000 Year 10-12 students in three states, Western Australia, New South Wales, and Victoria, conducted for the former Higher Education Council. The project surveyed students across all socio-economic strata and across urban, rural and isolated locations, allowing comparison of the differing aspirations and expectations of young people regarding education and the possibility of higher education. The study reveals appreciable social stratification in the opinions of senior secondary students about the relevance and attainability of a university education. Though the overall attitudes of young people towards secondary school are similar in many ways, their aspirations and intentions regarding higher education are strongly influenced by socio-economic background, gender, and geographical location. Socio-economic background is the major factor in the variation in student perspectives on the value and attainability of higher education.