International students’ college choice is different!
International Journal of Educational Management
ISSN: 0951-354X
Article publication date: 11 September 2017
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the needs and aspirations of international students studying at a comprehensive university campus in the USA in comparison to domestic students represented by factors that drive students’ college choice.
Design/methodology/approach
The study opted for a survey design through questionnaire and employed descriptive and inferential statistics to assess differences between international and domestic students.
Findings
Findings suggest that international students are different from domestic students on seven choice factors: on-campus housing, recommendation from family, academic reputation, reputation of faculty, participation in intercollegiate sports, printed material or video and need-based financial aid.
Research limitations/implications
The study was conducted at a four-year comprehensive public university campus in California. Findings and conclusions may be relevant only to such context.
Practical implications
International and domestic students have different preferences and their college choices are affected to different degrees by the varying choice factors. Education administrators and policy makers can have targeted strategic marketing plans that are responsive to the different types populations’ needs.
Originality/value
This is the first study that compares international students’ to domestic students’ needs and aspirations when choosing a university campus.
Keywords
Citation
Alfattal, E. (2017), "International students’ college choice is different!", International Journal of Educational Management, Vol. 31 No. 7, pp. 930-943. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEM-05-2016-0095
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2017, Emerald Publishing Limited