Previously performed analyses of the relationship between college choice and persistence in both public and private colleges and universities illustrate the direct and indirect effects of financial factors that influence college choice and subsequent persistence decisions, and the direct effects of the actual dollar amounts of costs and financial…

During early 1990s, increases in private colleges' prices outpaced increases in inflation, input prices, and income growth, but after accounting for rapidly increasing college-funded student aid, positive differentials decreased relative to the 1980s. Substantial dispersion among private colleges in actual net prices received from full-time…

A study tested a model for assessing the impact of financial aid offers on 2,558 accepted students' college enrollment decisions. The analysis demonstrates that financial aid strategies have a substantial influence on enrollment and the systematic analysis of student enrollment decisions can help institutional administrators refine their financing…

The development of an operational model that would enable a college institutional research unit to improve administrative decision-making by expanding its data base to include new activities not widely recognized throughout the institution is considered. Attention is directed to institutional research as a function within an institution,…

As tuition charges increase and more students are eligible for financial aid, colleges must develop a concrete strategy to manage financial aid resources. Mechanisms to help financial aid officers effectively utilize aid resources in enrolling students are discussed. Mathematical formulas and calculations are included. (Author/JMD)

A three-part study conducted at a medium-sized, Christian comprehensive college in Michigan (Calvin College) examined the college choice process including why students apply but do not enroll, as well as the reasons why students enroll. Subjects consisted of: (1) those who made multiple inquiries and had multiple contacts with the college but did…

A presentation of a conceptual framework for viewing the admissions management process in higher education institutions and a discussion of the pricing policy process, particularly of private colleges and universities, precedes an examination of the stochastic utility model, a statistical model of the college choice process. Using student choice…

Using institutional data, this paper presents a model to enable researchers and enrollment managers to assess the effectiveness of financial aid packaging policies in light of student characteristics and institutional market position. The model uses discriminant analysis and a series of hypothetical financial aid award scenarios to predict the…

University of Hartford's decision-support system for enrollment management, which uses fourth-generation software tools, is described, with attention to the conceptual framework, design and implementation plan, and progress to date. The university's planners, institutional researchers, and admissions and financial aid officers are cooperating in…

A self-study of Findlay College, Ohio, which was prepared for the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools for reaccreditation purposes, is presented. After a preliminary chapter outlining the mission and goals of the college, attention is directed to: instructional programs, community programs and resources, students and student…

The 1988 annual conference of the North East Association for Institutional Research focused on strategic choice. Selected papers included: "Fact Books: Paper-Based or Electronic?" (T. Gusler); "Electronic Factbooks" (J. Jacobsen); "A Comparative Analysis of Community College Administrators' and Adult Evening Credit Course…