ERIC Number: EJ1094680
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2016-Apr
Pages: 15
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0018-1560
EISSN: N/A
College Choice and the University Brand: Exploring the Consumer Decision Framework
Stephenson, Amber L.; Heckert, Alex; Yerger, David B.
Higher Education: The International Journal of Higher Education Research, v71 n4 p489-503 Apr 2016
Branding in higher education has become increasingly used as a mechanism of differentiation among competitors to attract prospective students. Although branding in higher education is a common phenomenon, little work has been done assessing the college selection process using a brand choice framework. This paper aims to fill the gap by investigating the college selection process using the consumer decision framework specifically addressing the notion of the consideration set. The study employs qualitative research methods and included interviews of incoming first-year students. The findings reveal that the university brands in the consideration set for a student range from one to eight and need not be of the same type of institution. Also, the findings highlight other brand-related constructs that help to move the university from consideration set to ultimately the college of choice.
Descriptors: College Choice, Marketing, Qualitative Research, Decision Making, Student Recruitment, Interviews, College Freshmen, Student Attitudes, Selection Criteria, Higher Education
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A