Determinants of Higher Education Student Satisfaction: Evidence from Dire Dawa University, Ethiopia

Abstract

Student satisfaction is important in assessing whether universities are fulfilling their mission. The objective of the study is to investigate the satisfaction level of undergraduate level students enrolled in regular program of Dire-Dawa University and there by understand Dire Dawa University’s level of service quality perceived by the students. The study used cross-sectional design and data were collected from students of all colleges/institutes in the university using stratified random sampling technique. Results indicated that almost half of the students studying in the university are satisfied with the program diversity and alternative departments. The multinomial logistic regression model identified facility provision, gender, and academic staff quality and assessment system as significant predictors of students’ general satisfaction with the university. As the students satisfaction with the facility available increased by one score the students general satisfaction with the university increased by nearly two fold (OR=1.906, 95% CI=1.35, 2.68) controlling for satisfaction with academic staff quality and assessment system. Therefore all stakeholders involved in both quality enhancement and expansion should take action on facility provision of the university.

Keywords: Student satisfaction,  Determinants, Higher education, Ethiopia