Factors influencing Omani students' selection of higher education institutions: an emphasis on undergraduate and postgraduate students

The study aims at investigating the factors that influence students' selection of higher education institutions in Oman. For that purpose, a sample of 384 respondents was randomly selected from various Omani regions and universities. The study used mean values to rank the factors based on the students' responses following Friedman's test. In addition, factor analysis was also used to summarise these factors, and analysis of variance (ANOVA) to investigate any differences in the selection factors across genders and education levels. The findings revealed that the main factors for university selection are the academic and financial benefits and advantages closely followed by the quality and reputation of the universities. In addition, the findings revealed that there is a significant difference across education levels with regard to the perception of academic quality, accommodation, as well as reference to website advertisements. These findings have significant contributions to the Omani universities, as well universities in similar contexts. Particularly, it provides the universities with insights on the main dimensions and characteristics to emphasise in order to enhance their overall performance.