The Face of Collegiate Aviation: Factors Impacting Self-Selection of Collegiate Aviation Programs

This study aimed to determine the factors that influence student selection of 4-year, post-secondary commercial aviation programs and if there is a difference in factors based on gender or race in making this decision. Findings suggest that factors influencing selection of a 4-year, post-secondary aviation program are similar for all aviation students: students drawn to 4-year, post-secondary aviation programs do so simply because of an interest in aviation and the desire to fly. The 10 most influential program and institutional characteristics that attract students to collegiate aviation were program educational quality, university reputation, condition of equipment, institutional educational quality, location of institution, small class size, safety concerns, program characteristics, student to faculty ratio, and distance from home. These findings will be helpful to collegiate aviation programs actively seeking to recruit students to their campuses.