A study on decision-making factors behind graduate students’ preference for central universities

The study also investigated whether significant differences existed in students’ decision-making by gender, locality, and academic stream, and identified the dominant factor influencing students’ selection of Central Universities for higher education. The study was conducted in the context of the growing demand for quality, affordable, and inclusive higher education opportunities offered by Central Universities. It focused on understanding how academic, infrastructural, economic, socio-cultural, and personal factors shape students’ decision-making while selecting universities for higher education. A quantitative research approach using the descriptive survey method was adopted. Data were collected from 160 postgraduate students, selected from eight Central Universities across four regions of India, using a structured questionnaire. Statistical techniques such as Multiple Linear Regression, Independent Samples t-test, ANOVA, and frequency analysis were applied using JAMOVI software. The findings indicated a strong relationship between the variables, and that all five factors-academic, infrastructural, economic, socio-cultural, and personal-significantly influenced students’ decision-making. Among these, economic factors emerged as the most dominant, followed by academic and infrastructural factors, indicating that affordability, scholarships, financial assistance, quality of education, faculty expertise, and institutional facilities strongly influence students’ university preferences. Socio-cultural and personal factors showed a moderate level of influence. Further, the study found no significant differences in students’ decision-making by gender, locality, or academic streams. The study concluded that affordability and financial support are crucial in shaping students’ preferences for Central Universities.