Understanding factors involved in college choice: implications for baccalaureate programs in nursing and allied health.

Students entering their senior year ("rising" high school seniors) interested in baccalaureate programs in nursing and allied health were surveyed to determine which factors were most important in their college choice decision. Based on mean ratings, the five highest ranked factors were employment opportunities, quality of academic programs, educational opportunities after graduation, teaching reputation, and cost. However, when students were asked to list the most important factors in the final decision, financial aid, quality of academic programs, cost, and employment opportunities were mentioned most often. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated that while the factors influencing college choice often differed among selected disciplines, those factors receiving the highest mean rating rarely did. More research of this kind is suggested to better understand student needs so that institutional resources may be appropriately allocated.