View in EDS

Navigating the Maze: Determinants Influencing Student's Choices in Higher Education Admission across Diverse Disciplines in Maharashtra

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Navigating the Maze: Determinants Influencing Student's Choices in Higher Education Admission across Diverse Disciplines in Maharashtra
Language: English
Authors: Rajni Pathak (ORCID 0000-0001-5498-2650)
Source: Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education. 2026 18(1):24-41.
Availability: Emerald Publishing Limited. Howard House, Wagon Lane, Bingley, West Yorkshire, BD16 1WA, UK. Tel: +44-1274-777700; Fax: +44-1274-785201; e-mail: emerald@emeraldinsight.com; Web site: http://www.emerald.com/insight
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 18
Publication Date: 2026
Intended Audience: Policymakers; Administrators
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Higher Education, College Choice, Intellectual Disciplines, Decision Making, College Admission, Foreign Countries, Administrator Attitudes, Academic Achievement, Student Recruitment, Reputation, Accreditation (Institutions), Economic Factors, Preferences, Student Behavior, Influences
Geographic Terms: India
DOI: 10.1108/JARHE-04-2024-0159
ISSN: 2050-7003
1758-1184
Abstract: Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to unravel the complex factors guiding students' decisions during the higher education admission process in the Maharashtra state. Design/methodology/approach: The study is based on descriptive and exploratory research and to accomplish the above said objectives, researcher use mix method (qualitative and quantitative). The research was conducted in the higher education institutions, colleges, coaching centers and universities providing under graduate and postgraduate courses in the cities of Maharashtra state, like Pune, Mumbai and Nashik where streams like management and engineering, are available. Findings: Through a comprehensive dissection of these determinants, the research aims to provide nuanced insights that can guide educational institutions and policymakers in tailoring effective strategies. By recognizing the unique needs and aspirations of students across disciplines in Maharashtra, this study aims to contribute to the enhancement of the higher education admission process. Research limitations/implications: While the study provides valuable insights into student decision-making in Maharashtra, its findings may not be directly applicable to other regions with different socioeconomic, cultural and educational contexts. Therefore, the generalizability of the findings beyond Maharashtra may be limited. Originality/value: Focusing specifically on Maharashtra adds a regional dimension to the research, considering the unique sociocultural, economic and educational characteristics of the state. This contextual focus allows for insights that are tailored to the local context, providing a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities in higher education admissions within Maharashtra.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1502718
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
  Availability: 0
Header DbId: eric
DbLabel: ERIC
An: EJ1502718
AccessLevel: 3
PubType: Academic Journal
PubTypeId: academicJournal
PreciseRelevancyScore: 0
IllustrationInfo
Items – Name: Title
  Label: Title
  Group: Ti
  Data: Navigating the Maze: Determinants Influencing Student's Choices in Higher Education Admission across Diverse Disciplines in Maharashtra
– Name: Language
  Label: Language
  Group: Lang
  Data: English
– Name: Author
  Label: Authors
  Group: Au
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Rajni+Pathak%22">Rajni Pathak</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5498-2650">0000-0001-5498-2650</externalLink>)
– Name: TitleSource
  Label: Source
  Group: Src
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+Applied+Research+in+Higher+Education%22"><i>Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education</i></searchLink>. 2026 18(1):24-41.
– Name: Avail
  Label: Availability
  Group: Avail
  Data: Emerald Publishing Limited. Howard House, Wagon Lane, Bingley, West Yorkshire, BD16 1WA, UK. Tel: +44-1274-777700; Fax: +44-1274-785201; e-mail: emerald@emeraldinsight.com; Web site: http://www.emerald.com/insight
– Name: PeerReviewed
  Label: Peer Reviewed
  Group: SrcInfo
  Data: Y
– Name: Pages
  Label: Page Count
  Group: Src
  Data: 18
– Name: DatePubCY
  Label: Publication Date
  Group: Date
  Data: 2026
– Name: Audience
  Label: Intended Audience
  Group: Audnce
  Data: Policymakers; Administrators
– Name: TypeDocument
  Label: Document Type
  Group: TypDoc
  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
– Name: Audience
  Label: Education Level
  Group: Audnce
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Higher+Education%22">Higher Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Postsecondary+Education%22">Postsecondary Education</searchLink>
– Name: Subject
  Label: Descriptors
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Higher+Education%22">Higher Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22College+Choice%22">College Choice</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Intellectual+Disciplines%22">Intellectual Disciplines</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Decision+Making%22">Decision Making</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22College+Admission%22">College Admission</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Administrator+Attitudes%22">Administrator Attitudes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Academic+Achievement%22">Academic Achievement</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Recruitment%22">Student Recruitment</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Reputation%22">Reputation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Accreditation+%28Institutions%29%22">Accreditation (Institutions)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Economic+Factors%22">Economic Factors</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Preferences%22">Preferences</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Behavior%22">Student Behavior</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Influences%22">Influences</searchLink>
– Name: Subject
  Label: Geographic Terms
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22India%22">India</searchLink>
– Name: DOI
  Label: DOI
  Group: ID
  Data: 10.1108/JARHE-04-2024-0159
– Name: ISSN
  Label: ISSN
  Group: ISSN
  Data: 2050-7003<br />1758-1184
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to unravel the complex factors guiding students' decisions during the higher education admission process in the Maharashtra state. Design/methodology/approach: The study is based on descriptive and exploratory research and to accomplish the above said objectives, researcher use mix method (qualitative and quantitative). The research was conducted in the higher education institutions, colleges, coaching centers and universities providing under graduate and postgraduate courses in the cities of Maharashtra state, like Pune, Mumbai and Nashik where streams like management and engineering, are available. Findings: Through a comprehensive dissection of these determinants, the research aims to provide nuanced insights that can guide educational institutions and policymakers in tailoring effective strategies. By recognizing the unique needs and aspirations of students across disciplines in Maharashtra, this study aims to contribute to the enhancement of the higher education admission process. Research limitations/implications: While the study provides valuable insights into student decision-making in Maharashtra, its findings may not be directly applicable to other regions with different socioeconomic, cultural and educational contexts. Therefore, the generalizability of the findings beyond Maharashtra may be limited. Originality/value: Focusing specifically on Maharashtra adds a regional dimension to the research, considering the unique sociocultural, economic and educational characteristics of the state. This contextual focus allows for insights that are tailored to the local context, providing a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities in higher education admissions within Maharashtra.
– Name: AbstractInfo
  Label: Abstractor
  Group: Ab
  Data: As Provided
– Name: DateEntry
  Label: Entry Date
  Group: Date
  Data: 2026
– Name: AN
  Label: Accession Number
  Group: ID
  Data: EJ1502718
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=eric&AN=EJ1502718
RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Identifiers:
      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1108/JARHE-04-2024-0159
    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 18
        StartPage: 24
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Higher Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: College Choice
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Intellectual Disciplines
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Decision Making
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: College Admission
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Administrator Attitudes
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Academic Achievement
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Recruitment
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Reputation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Accreditation (Institutions)
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Economic Factors
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Preferences
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Behavior
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Influences
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: India
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Navigating the Maze: Determinants Influencing Student's Choices in Higher Education Admission across Diverse Disciplines in Maharashtra
        Type: main
  BibRelationships:
    HasContributorRelationships:
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Rajni Pathak
    IsPartOfRelationships:
      – BibEntity:
          Dates:
            – D: 01
              M: 01
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
          Identifiers:
            – Type: issn-print
              Value: 2050-7003
            – Type: issn-electronic
              Value: 1758-1184
          Numbering:
            – Type: volume
              Value: 18
            – Type: issue
              Value: 1
          Titles:
            – TitleFull: Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education
              Type: main
ResultId 1