the causal mechanism that determined dropout varied between the types of higher education. As for those who studied in private universities, the causal mechanism of determinants on dropping out was identical to that of the whole sample. These results reveal that it is important to encourage students to aspire toward higher education up until they are 15 years of age, and for families, especially mothers, to support school life. In addition, aspiration for higher education depends on the social stratification with which students grew up. In order to compensate for these disadvantages in the school environment, concrete action, such as university-level education programs for freshman, should be considered.