Econometric research of the mix of factors influencing first-year students’ dropout decision at the faculty of agri-food and environmental economics

Abstract

Students dropping out of higher education is a common issue many universities are facing all around the world. This paper complements the existing literature with a unique perspective on the mix of factors influencing firstyear students’ dropout decision at the Faculty of Agri-Food and Environmental Economics from Bucharest, Romania. The objective of this research was to explore these factors through the lens of an unprecedented crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The ordinal logistic regression method was used based on data resulted from carrying out an online survey. The results of this econometric research can help decision-makers improve retention, the quality of education and the healthy integration of the first-year economics students in the university environment.