Economics Student and Faculty Attitudes on the Purpose of Undergraduate Education

Abstract

The authors report on a study of the goals of higher education as perceived by students and faculty. They examine differences and similarities of these views for students planning to continue their education and for those who do not. They also examine whether these views change after graduation, whether they vary by sex, and whether faculty and students are in agreement about the educational goals of our educational institutions. The relative importance that students placed on research, emotional development, and self-understanding is somewhat surprising.