Graduate Student Choice: The Differences Between Doctoral and Masters Students

• In Event: Navigating Critical Transitions in Higher Education

Abstract

As the job market expands, national trends are showing a decline in graduate student enrollment. This has caused institutions to adjust expenditures and strategize other ways to attract these students. Researchers completed a quantitative analysis focusing on graduate student choice factors to determine what was most predictive of a student choosing a particular institution. Both academic (e.g. academic program, institution location, financial aid) and non-academic (e.g. race/ethnicity, age, gender) factors were considered in the study of differences between doctoral and masters students.

Authors

• Hollie M Chessman, American Council on Education

• Jaime R. Lester, George Mason University

• Amy Gillies, George Mason University