This work examines the recent expansion of higher education in Brazil with a focus in a potential process of democratization, that is, where one can note the recruitment of students regardless of their socioeconomic background and high academic standards. In particular, it brings to light the inequalities of Brazilian society, demonstrated in this case by a strong correlation between the careers chosen by students and their socioeconomic background, in the framework of a nearly impermeable hierarchy of careers and institutional prestige. The study was conducted based on the Microdata from the Provão (assessment tests) for the years 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003, for six higher education courses in the State of Rio de Janeiro: Biology, Law, Languages & Literature, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine. The socioeconomic profiles of the students in each course are identified and the results obtained in the Courses` National Examinations are studied to see whether new profiles were included and to assess the academic performance in the period. The results are examined on a general level and according to the administrative category, academic organization and location of each course. After this analysis has been made, a dialogue is established with empirical research conducted on the topic. Finally, the author proposes the hypothesis of creating a democratization indicator for higher education with the goal of contributing towards the gauging of educational policies as the expansion continues. According to the findings, this expansion should be closely monitored in order to keep up the increase in the contingency of students in higher education and thereby attain the democratic goal.