Parallel Enrollments: Associations between College Student Satisfaction and Performance

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Parallel Enrollments: Associations between College Student Satisfaction and Performance
Language: English
Authors: Alexander Karl Ferdinand Loder (ORCID 0009-0008-8906-8410), Amani Colleen Brandweiner, Guilherme Maia de Oliveira Wood
Source: Journal of College Student Retention: Research, Theory & Practice. 2026 28(1):112-140.
Availability: SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 29
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, College Students, Student Satisfaction, College Enrollment, Academic Achievement, Dual Enrollment, College Programs
Geographic Terms: Austria
DOI: 10.1177/15210251241232683
ISSN: 1521-0251
1541-4167
Abstract: Austria is a country without college tuition fees, also allowing students to enroll in an unlimited number of programs simultaneously. Based on minimum ECTS requirements to keep enrollments valid, student performance is central. This study explores associations between student satisfaction and performance in the setting of parallel enrollments. Two hundred and thirteen students filled in a questionnaire, merging answers with performance parameters from the university's database. Multivariate regression analyses with performance as outcome and satisfaction measures as predictors were conducted on the levels: (1) unfiltered dataset, (2) one enrollment, and (3) 2 + enrollments. Performance satisfaction explained variance of grade point average and the number of failed exams on levels 1 and 2. Course satisfaction and the wish to continue studying were strongly associated with grade point average in nonprioritized programs of students with more than one enrollment. University systems worldwide could benefit from parallel programs, possibly preventing immediate dropout of unsatisfied students.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1501635
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:Austria is a country without college tuition fees, also allowing students to enroll in an unlimited number of programs simultaneously. Based on minimum ECTS requirements to keep enrollments valid, student performance is central. This study explores associations between student satisfaction and performance in the setting of parallel enrollments. Two hundred and thirteen students filled in a questionnaire, merging answers with performance parameters from the university's database. Multivariate regression analyses with performance as outcome and satisfaction measures as predictors were conducted on the levels: (1) unfiltered dataset, (2) one enrollment, and (3) 2 + enrollments. Performance satisfaction explained variance of grade point average and the number of failed exams on levels 1 and 2. Course satisfaction and the wish to continue studying were strongly associated with grade point average in nonprioritized programs of students with more than one enrollment. University systems worldwide could benefit from parallel programs, possibly preventing immediate dropout of unsatisfied students.
ISSN:1521-0251
1541-4167
DOI:10.1177/15210251241232683