The article presents the principal results of research carried out by the Independent Institute of Social Policies in co-operation with the Yury Levada Analytical Center* into the process of differentiation of higher education into mass and elite components. An approach to separating universities and professions into elite and non-elite on the basis of various ratings is proposed. The data from a 2005 all-Russian representative sample survey was used to elucidate the factors that determine the availability of higher education and of elite higher education.

* Решением Минюста РФ Yury Levada Analytical Center (Левада-Центр) включён в реестр некоммерческих организаций, выполняющих функции иностранного агента.