TY - JOUR
T1 - Factors Affecting University Dropout
T2 - Comparison of STEM and Public Affairs and Management Students
AU - Yaghi, Abdulfattah
AU - Alabed, Nizar
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2025 The Author(s). Published with license by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
PY - 2025
Y1 - 2025
N2 - University dropout poses significant challenges. This study examines factors influencing students’ decisions to discontinue university education without obtaining a bachelor’s degree. A survey was administered to 411 students in Public Affairs and Management (PAM) programs and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) programs at two large universities in the United Arab Emirates (2022–2023). Key findings reveal that only 27.4% of PAM students and 27.5% of STEM students never considered quitting, and approximately 64% of all students remained committed to their majors. Six factors—society’s expectations, economic factors, program requirements, institutional considerations, academic performance, and personal attitude—influence dropout decisions. Notably, no significant differences were observed between PAM and STEM students, except in their interaction with societal expectations. The study emphasizes the need for policies to enhance the overall university experience, promoting retention across majors.
AB - University dropout poses significant challenges. This study examines factors influencing students’ decisions to discontinue university education without obtaining a bachelor’s degree. A survey was administered to 411 students in Public Affairs and Management (PAM) programs and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) programs at two large universities in the United Arab Emirates (2022–2023). Key findings reveal that only 27.4% of PAM students and 27.5% of STEM students never considered quitting, and approximately 64% of all students remained committed to their majors. Six factors—society’s expectations, economic factors, program requirements, institutional considerations, academic performance, and personal attitude—influence dropout decisions. Notably, no significant differences were observed between PAM and STEM students, except in their interaction with societal expectations. The study emphasizes the need for policies to enhance the overall university experience, promoting retention across majors.
KW - STEM
KW - Students
KW - dropout
KW - public affairs
KW - university
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=105002005141&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=105002005141&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/01900692.2025.2476676
DO - 10.1080/01900692.2025.2476676
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:105002005141
SN - 0190-0692
JO - International Journal of Public Administration
JF - International Journal of Public Administration
ER -