Dimensions of Satisfaction With Collegiate Education

ABSTRACT A sample of 2072 respondents In 176 courses from four different departments In a community college completed a questionnaire concerning their attitudes towards various aspects of their studies. Results showed that the factor structure of the responses from the different departments was almost Identical, In spite of differences In students' demographic background and the purpose of studies. A regression analysis on the general satisfaction with courses revealed the teacher as the major contributor and the Interpersonal relations between students as an additional factor. When the willingness to continue studying in the same college was analysed, the Interpersonal relations between students were the major factor when the analysis was based on individual scores, but not when it was based on class‐averages. In both cases the difficulty of the course and the general evaluation of its quality were significant additional contributors. It was concluded that in order to evaluate higher education courses accurately, a generally applicable tool can be devised, but that this tool should cover social aspects of the study‐situation not yet Included in currently used evaluation questionnaires.