FACTORS INFLUENCING THE DECISION TO STUDY A BACHELOR’S DEGREE OF STUDENTS OF PATHUM THANI UNIVERSITY

Abstract

 This research aimed to study: 1) the factors supporting the decision-making process for enrolling at Pathumthani University, 2) the factors influencing the decision to pursue a bachelor's degree at Pathumthani University, and 3) the relationship between the supporting factors and the influencing factors on the decision to enroll in a bachelor's degree at Pathumthani University. This study is quantitative in nature, with the sample group consisting of undergraduate students at Pathumthani University. The data was collected through an online questionnaire, with a total of 343 responses. Statistical software was used to process and analyze the data, employing both descriptive and inferential statistical methods.
The research findings revealed the following: 1) The supporting factors for the decision to enroll at Pathumthani University, in terms of internal and external stimuli, had an overall average rating at a moderate level. In terms of convenience, students found it easy to travel to the university, with a high level of agreement. Other factors, including confidence, awareness and familiarity, family and peer recommendations, information dissemination, social acceptance, and economic factors, all showed a moderate level of agreement. 2) The factors influencing the decision to pursue a bachelor's degree at Pathumthani University had an overall average rating at a moderate level. When considering each factor individually, the areas of faculty and teaching systems, as well as the curriculum, both received high ratings. In contrast, other factors such as the institution's image, personal reasons, educational costs, and employment prospects were rated at a moderate level. 3) There was a very high positive correlation between the supporting factors and the influencing factors on the decision to pursue a bachelor's degree, with a correlation coefficient of r = 0.9670 at a significance level of 0.01, or a 99% confidence level.