ABSTRACT
In the US, the average layperson tends to think of equality of higher education in terms of color, whereas in former Communist countries, the issue of equality relates more to class in society. Higher education in Hungary has maintained good relations with the government; however, that does not mean that extra funding will soon be available for special programs. Among higher education planners and economists, it is widely accepted that it will be necessary for post-Communist countries to gear the relevance, efficiency and capacity of their educational programs to meet the demands of a market economy. In Hungary and Poland, eight years of compulsory schooling are required, ages 6—14. Under Communist rule, admission and selection criteria in higher education were controlled for political, economic and social reasons. Economists and educators have discussed whether there is a higher economic return to individuals and society in providing higher education to the most gifted in a society.
