Factors Influencing Students’ Choice of an Institution of Higher Education

This study examined key factors that have affected high school students’ choices of higher education institutions (HEIs). It provides a deeper insight into the voice of their key stakeholders. There are approximately 90 respondents who participated in both the qualitative and quantitative studies. In-depth interviews and self-administered questionnaires were part of this triangulation study. The results suggested that there is a significant relationship between programme, university reputation, employment opportunity, pricing, security, education and campus facilities, events, location, peers, mentoring, satisfaction and college choice. Gender played a moderating role in the developed model. The research conducted was limited to only 90 respondents which is considered very small compared to other research studies. The target population was limited to a number of high schools hence the findings were not representative of the high school students' population. The findings of this research is to aid higher education authorities to review and develop appropriate strategies in order to promote their particular institutions through better knowledge by focusing on the key factors that could significantly affect college choices. (Abstract by authors