Effectiveness of Campus Wi-Fi on Students' Perceived Academic Support among College Students in One Private School in Kabankalan City

In the contemporary education environment, technology has become a necessary component of the learning process. Campus Wi-Fi has emerged as critical infrastructure supporting various academic activities. However, most studies on internet access and academic performance were conducted in urban centers and developed countries, leaving a gap in understanding private schools in smaller Philippine cities like Kabankalan. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of campus Wi-Fi on students' perceived academic support at a private college in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, Philippines. A descriptive-correlational research design was employed with 350 college students selected through stratified random sampling. A validated researcher-made questionnaire with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.87 was used to gather data on Wi-Fi accessibility, connection speed, reliability, coverage area, usage patterns, and perceived impact on academic support. Statistical tools included frequency distributions, percentages, weighted means, Pearson correlation coefficient, and multiple linear regression. The campus Wi-Fi was rated as very effective overall (weighted mean = 3.73). Accessibility received the highest rating (3.78), followed by connection speed (3.75), reliability (3.73), and coverage area (3.68). A significant positive correlation was found between overall Wi-Fi effectiveness and perceived academic support (r = 0.757, p < 0.01). Multiple linear regression revealed that connection speed (β = 0.312, p < 0.001) was the strongest predictor of perceived academic support, followed by reliability (β = 0.248, p < 0.001), while controlling for year level and academic program. Primary challenges included limited coverage (33.1%), weak signal strength (30.9%), and slow connection during peak hours (30.3%). While campus Wi-Fi is generally perceived as very effective, targeted improvements in coverage expansion, signal strength, and bandwidth capacity could further enhance students' learning experiences and perceived academic support.