Cross-Class Friendships Predict Upward Mobility
Each dot = one college. X = economic connectedness (cross-class friendship index). Y = % of low-income students reaching top quintile.
Correlation: r = 0.55 (p < 0.001). Schools where low-income students form more friendships with high-income peers have dramatically higher success rates. The relationship holds across every institutional tier.
Source: Social Capital Atlas + Mobility Report Cards (Chetty et al.)