Student college choice sets: Toward an empirical characterization

1983 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 271-284 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael L. Tierney
Keyword(s):  
College Choice ◽  
Choice Sets ◽  
Student College ◽  
Student College Choice

Understanding For-Profit College and Community College Choice through Rational Choice

2014 ◽  
Vol 116 (8) ◽  
pp. 1-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Constance Iloh ◽  
William G. Tierney
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Community College ◽  
Community Colleges ◽  
Community College Students ◽  
College Choice ◽  
Rational Choice ◽  
For Profit ◽  
Student College ◽  
Student College Choice

Background/Context Scarce research has been conducted examining why students choose to attend higher priced for-profit institutions over community colleges. The authors suggest that increased national concern over proprietary higher education warrants an in-depth comparative case study of the choice factors utilized by for-profit and community college students. Research Question The research questions guiding this analysis are: (a) Why and how do students choose to attend for-profit colleges and community colleges? (b) What factors were important in their decision? (c) What implications do these results have for rational choice and college choice theory? Setting Data were collected at one community college and one for-profit college in California that had similar vocational programs. Subjects A total of 137 for-profit and community college students (75 for profit, 62 community college) enrolled in a vocational nursing or surgical technician associate's degree program agreed to participate. Research Design The authors examine student college choice factors through a case study. The findings were developed from interviews, surveys, and focus groups. Findings The authors found that for-profit and community college students held varying conceptions of costs and benefits as they pertained to college choice factors. Three particular dimensions were highlighted in student responses—short-term and long-term gains, risks, and uncertainty. Conclusions This study illuminates the nuanced factors and goals that informed student college choice decisions. Understanding these distinct college choice considerations could help researchers, practitioners, and institutional leaders develop measures for institutional effectiveness and student success.

A Model of Student College Choice

1981 ◽  
Vol 52 (5) ◽  
pp. 490 ◽  
Author(s):  
David W. Chapman
Keyword(s):  
College Choice ◽  
Student College ◽  
Student College Choice
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