Determinants of college and university choice for high-school students in Qatar

Abstract

This paper investigates various predictors of high school students’ college and university choice decisions in Qatar. Based on a 2015 survey of 1,427 participants, this study utilized exploratory factor analysis to identify variables that affect student choice of higher educational institutions (HEI). Three factors were extracted from the analysis, revealing the following aspects of the academic experience as important when choosing a HEI: i) quality of education; ii) cultural values; and iii) the cost of education. Ordinal logistic regression was employed to test whether several independent variables (student’s gender, nationality, parental education, and parental occupation) act as significant predictors of the three extracted dimensions (dependent variables). The analysis revealed, to varying degrees, that demographic characteristics significantly predict a student’s HEI choice. Discussion on postulated reasons behind the recorded relationships will follow, along with implications and recommendations for further study and research. The study’s findings will assist HEIs in Qatar and the broader region, to position themselves more effectively, and develop targeted strategies that attract and maintain a diverse student population.