Determinants of Student Dropouts: A Case Study of Business Students

Abstract

This study attempts to explore the reasons behind students' dropouts from higher education business schools. For this purpose, data about 1200 students over a period of one year is collected and analyzed from a leading business school in Peshawar. Determinants of dropouts are extracted from the literature and are tested for their association with the dropout decision by the students. Findings of the study are partially aligned with the literature and prove a significant relationship between gender, the type of school attended, students' performance at the SSC and HSSC levels, and major subjects studied at the HSSC level with the incidence of students' dropout from the business school; whereas age, father income, and hometown has shown no relationship with the students' dropout from the business school.

Determinants of students vulnerability to attrition in higher education: Evidence from Arba Minch University, Ethiopia

“…One of the greatest assets of a country is its youth; more educated youth can contribute more to the country (Zaheer et al, 2016). If youth are effective and successful in education, they can play a significant role to the development of science and technology of any nation (Gota, 2012).…”

“…It is empirically proved that those who have a graduate degree can find job more easily than their non-graduate counterparts (Richard and Parker, 2012). This did not only enables them to earn for themselves but also prevent them from becoming a burden on nation"s economy (Zaheer et al, 2016). However, recent evidences confirm that higher education institutions have given more attention towards attracting new students than retaining the already involved students (Zemke, 2000cited in Zaheer et al, 2016 and this results high attrition and drop out of the students.…”

“…The causes of student attrition are multifaceted and include factors internal to the students and external factors in various environments including family and institutions (Njoroge et al, 2015). A number of studies have identified student"s academic background and academic school experiences as a major determinants of student attrition (Hussain and Khader, 2014;Zaheer et al, 2016;Jiranek, 2010;Daniel, 2014;Helen, 2010). Other studies considered personal problem, university environment and economic problems as factors for high attrition rate in academic institution (Yeshimebrat et al, 2009;Daniel, 2014).…”

“…Survey of previous studies shows that there are some studies focused on attrition and its determinants in higher education institutions using descriptive analysis (Njoroge et al, 2015;Daniel, 2014;Wudu and Getahun, 2009;Yeshimebrat et al, 2009;Helen, 2010;Zaheer et al, 2016;Roque et al, 2013;Tiruneh and Petros (2014); Griswold, 2014;Fowler, 2016;Rilwani et al, 2014;Brockett, 2002;Ishitani, 2006;Hannah, 2010;Willging and Johnson, 2004;Fisher and Engmann, 2009;Hussain and Khader, 2014;Geisinger and Raman, 2013;Rodan, 2001;Harvey and Luckman, 2014;Tsehaye and Yesuf, 2013). Most of these studies took a sample of already dropped, dismissed or re-admitted students to achieve their objectives.…”

Bridging the Gap Between Access and Persistence in Higher Education in the Caribbean

“…As such, access, retention, persistence and graduation of students in higher education are of national concern. Zaheer, Gul, Wazir and Wazir (2016) articulate that it is vital that students graduate to guarantee a healthy economy. They stated that "it is empirically proven that those who have graduate degree can find a job and hold on more easily as compared to their non-graduate counterparts" (Richard & Parker, 2012 as cited in Zaheer et al, 2016, p. 37).…”