This chapter explores educational inequalities in Romania, emphasizing the steps required to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals within the higher education system. Over nearly 35 years of democratic transition, Romania has been a testing ground for international processes, norms, and institutions that have reshaped its higher education landscape to combat inequality (Deca, Int Higher Educ 82(4):16–18, 2015). Despite openness to global trends, significant reforms lack public engagement, partly due to the inconsistent messaging from decision-makers and without robust public discourse informed by the best practices and aligned with international commitments, Romania risks remaining vulnerable in addressing these challenges. The OECD (OECD economic surveys: Romania 2022, OECD Publishing, 2022) highlights stark disparities in educational access, with urban areas far outpacing rural regions. Regional differences are also evident and mirror trends in low-income countries, where under-resourced educational systems hinder academic outcomes (Aikens and Barbarin, J Educ Psychol 100(2):235, 2008). Additionally, Romania’s shifting demographics show population concentration in a few areas, while others face a demographic decline (Curcic et al., Eur Educ Res J 13(3):257–267, 2014). Economic challenges exacerbate these issues, impacting education funding. Limited grants and insufficient alternatives, such as study loans, create financial barriers for students (Sava et al., Access to higher education for vulnerable groups, 2020). Universities must address these challenges by improving outreach and support mechanisms for disadvantaged groups, ensuring education remains accessible and equitable (European Commission/EACEA/Eurydice, The teaching profession in Europe: Practices, perceptions, and policies. Eurydice Report, 2015). Steps are being made, and that is why Romania’s international commitments are in line with EU recommendations in in the field of education and aim at developing a stronger commitment to increasing accessibility for special needs students in the university environment, to support minority education to access higher education in Romania, to engage stakeholders in decision-making for stronger university collaboration, to engage stakeholders in decision-making for stranger university collaboration, and to monitor and evaluate for a new policy dialogue on education equity at the university level.