EXPLORING THE ROLE OF PERCEIVED RETURNS IN POSTGRADUATE ENROLLMENT: A COMPARATIVE STUDY ACROSS SELECTED UNIVERSITIES IN KENYA
Abstract
In the face of a consistent surge in private interest in postgraduate education within Kenyan universities, recent trends indicate a decline in actual postgraduate enrollment. This decline poses potential challenges to the attainment of university objectives and the realization of Kenya's Vision 2030. Extensive literature review highlights various factors influencing the decision to pursue postgraduate studies, with perceived returns being a significant determinant. This study aimed to assess the impact of perceived returns on private demand for postgraduate studies across selected universities in Kenya. Employing an explanatory sequential mixed methods design, the research utilized both quantitative and qualitative approaches to comprehensively explore the effects of perceived returns on private demand for postgraduate studies. The target population encompassed all 60,515 students enrolled in Master's and PhD programs across public and private chartered universities in Kenya during the study period. Through systematic random sampling, 395 Master's and PhD students were selected from a purposefully chosen pool of four public chartered universities and three private chartered universities. Data collection involved questionnaires and interviews, with quantitative data analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, and qualitative data subjected to thematic and content analysis. The study revealed that perceived returns, indicated by a regression coefficient of B = .57 and a probability level of p = .004 < .05 (at a significance level of p < .05), emerged as a significant predictor of private demand for postgraduate studies. These findings illuminate the influence of perceived returns on private demand for postgraduate studies, providing valuable insights for policymakers and university institutions to align programs with the evolving needs of prospective postgraduate students and the labor market. The study recommends collaborative efforts between universities and employers, both from the private and public sectors, to enhance the provision of accurate information, training, and employment opportunities for postgraduate students
Keywords:
Perceived returns, Private demand, Postgraduate studies, Kenyan universitiesDownloads
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