Using Subjective And Objective Social Class Measures In Research, Assessment, And Practice

Authors

• Nicholas A. Bowman, University of Iowa
• Shinji Katsumoto, The University of Southern Mississippi
• Genia M. Bettencourt, University of Memphis
• Joseph A. Kitchen, University of Southern California
• Lauren N. Irwin, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2026

School

Education

Abstract

Students’ social class is frequently assessed in postsecondary contexts, but studies overwhelmingly use measures that are intended to be objective, such as first-generation status or Pell eligibility. This methodological manuscript answers recent calls for more contextualized assessments by discussing the use of subjective measures of undergraduate students’ perceived social class. Drawing upon literature, theory, and relevant data, we argue that subjective measures should be used when possible to complement information from objective social class measures.

Publication Title

Journal of Student Affairs Research and Practice

Volume

63

Issue

1

First Page

1

Last Page

14

Recommended Citation

Bowman, N., Katsumoto, S., Bettencourt, G., Kitchen, J., Irwin, L. (2026). Using Subjective And Objective Social Class Measures In Research, Assessment, And Practice. Journal of Student Affairs Research and Practice, 63(1), 1-14.
Available at: https://aquila.usm.edu/fac_pubs/21986