The satisfaction of university students in Spain: differences by field of study

ABSTRACT

This article analyses the factors associated with student satisfaction in a sample of undergraduate students from the University of Zaragoza (Spain). In addition to considering socio-demographic characteristics, we also examine factors related to expectations and motivations. Using data from a survey carried out during the academic year 2011/12, we show that the level of satisfaction of the students varies according to their field of study, finding that students in Engineering and Science are comparatively less satisfied than those in other disciplines. Also, expectations about whether having a university degree will be enough to obtain a job are associated with their level of satisfaction. Moreover, alcohol consumption is positively associated with their level of satisfaction. Analysing the correlates of student satisfaction is important to understand student retention and persistence.

KEYWORDS:

• Undergraduate students
• satisfaction
• field of study
• expectations

JEL Classification:

• A22
• D60
• I20
• I31
• Z1

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

¹ Gil and Molina (2007) argue the detrimental effect of alcohol consumption on health and human development that can lead to lower academic efficiency. We leave this question open to future research.

² See Giménez-Nadal and Ortega (2015) for a description of the degrees that correspond to each faculty.

Additional information

Funding

This work was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economics [Project ECO2012-34828].