Factors influencing low graduation efficiency rate in Computer Engineering degree: A qualitative analysis

Abstract

Universities graduate annually a certain number of professionals. Some of these professionals finish their studies in the time suggested by the University; others take a longer time to accomplish their studies because of personal, academic or institutional factors that delay them. The purpose of this research is to determine what factors influenced computer engineering students to end or delay their career studies. This study was made on an Ecuadorian university. The qualitative method was applied through surveys and semi structured interviews. University students and graduates experiences were collected to be later categorized. Results show greater influence by motivational and academic factors, while the institutional factors affect less on the graduation efficiency rate.