1. Factors Influencing Student Selection of a Collegiate Aviation Program
College of Applied Science and Arts
2017 ASA Multidisciplinary Research Symposium
Matt Romero and Steve Goetz

3. College Choice Model
Developed by Hossleer, Braxton, Coopersmith (1989)
Summarized almost 20 years of college choice models
Models ranged from 2-stage college choice models to 7-stage college choice models
The 3-stage model is still used (Han, 2014)

5. Previous Research
More than 30 years of research investigating college choice
Only one study investigating college choice in aviation
Factors influencing decisions to enroll
Survey population: 1 institution, 133 students

6. Our Research Data Collection
Online survey of flight students at one university
Rank academic characteristics
Preference Aggregation
Instrument – Identifying Academic Characteristics
Evaluation of marketing info on websites of collegiate flight programs
Previous research - Allen and Minniear, 2008

7. Academic Characteristics
Four Categories of Academic Characteristics
Institutional
Aviation Degree
Aviation Program
Aviation Resources

8. Academic Characteristics
Institutional Characteristics
Educational Facilities
Location
University Financial Aid
Student Organizations
Campus Social Atmosphere
Transfer Credits Accepted
Alumni Recommendation
Admission Requirements
Out-of-State Tuition Waiver
Student Body Diversity

9. Academic Characteristics
Aviation Degree Characteristics
Professional Pilot Degree
Time to Degree Completion
Aviatioin Management Degree
Various Aviation Undergraduate Degree Programs
Aviation Specializations
Air Traffic Control Program
Aviation Maintenance Degree
FAA Aircraft Dispatcher Program
Master's Degrees in Aviation
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Program

10. Academic Characteristics
Aviation Program Characteristics
R-ATP 500 hr Waiver
Examining Authority
Aviation Industry Network
Aviation Alumni Recommendation
Internship Program
Aviation Scholarships
Community College Tranfer Credit
Flight Team
Departmental Representative
Accepted Previous Flight Time

11. Academic Characteristics
Aviation Resource Characteristics
Quality of Aviation-Related Facilities
Type of Aircraft
Number of Aircraft
Faculty Qualifications
Number of Simulators
Types of Simulators
Number of FTDs
Alumni Network
ATC Simulator
Departmental Representatives

12. Academic Characteristics
Four Categories of Academic Characteristics
Institutional
Aviation Degree
Aviation Program
Aviation Resources

13. Survey Results Response Rate 130 Aviation Flight Students
40 Survey Responses = 30.7% Response Rate

14. Survey Results Demographics Year in School Freshman 7.5% Sophomore 20%
Junior 25%
Senior 47.5%

15. Ratings & Certifications
Survey Results
Demographics
FAA Ratings/Certifications
Ratings & Certifications
Responses
Private Pilot
81.08% 30
Instrument Rating
43.24% 16
Commercial Pilot
24.32% 9
Student Pilot
18.92% 7
Remote Pilot Certification
10.81% 4
Flight Instructor
8.11% 3
Aircraft Dispatcher
2.70% 1
Other (please specify)
Recreational Pilot
0.00%
Airframe
Powerplant

16. Survey Results Preference Rankings
Four Categories of Academic Characteristics
Institutional
Aviation Degree
Aviation Program
Aviation Resources

17. Survey Results

18. Survey Results

19. Survey Results

20. Survey Results

22. What’s Next Continue to collect responses Further analysis
At the current institution
Extend to other collegiate aviation programs
Further analysis
See if their preferences reveal more
Example – “Diversity of the student body”