Issues that affect the decision to enroll in higher education

Abstract

This paper analyzes the issues that affect the decision to enroll in higher education. It investigates the case of the Neuquén Regional Faculty of the National Technological University located in San Martín de los Andes. A survey was conducted to gather information about the socioeconomic characteristics of the students, the reasons for entering the university and their future expectations. Results show that the main motivations to study are due to instrumental reasons linked to the desire and need to have a degree in higher education and psychosocial issues, in particular, the idea of higher education as a way to achieve social mobility and better job opportunities. They also highlight the relevance of having local educational offer in contexts where low student mobility prevails for economic, family or idiosyncratic reasons.