How Students Choose the University

Abstract

The aim of this chapter is to provide a literature overview about factors that affect students' choice of university. All factors can be divided in two types – individual or personal characteristics of students and institutional factors. Individual characteristics include students' age, gender, ethnicity, family background, ability, interests and motivation. Institutional factors describe university ranking, reputation, potential outcomes and benefits for students, as well as geographical location and costs for student (tuition fee, financial aid and scholarship). The combination of students' individual characteristics determines university choice. However, the quality of teaching, reputation and ranking of university are the most influential characteristic of university.