The Influences that Impact Students' Major Satisfaction when Selecting a Major at a Four Year University in China

In China, choosing a college major is a complex process because of the competition and restrictions placed on major selection. College students, educators, and institutions are challenged by college students' low satisfaction with their majors. Additionally, changes in the standards required for entrance restricts the range of majors available to academically low performing students making them at greater risk of selecting a non-preferred major. The lack of research on major satisfaction limits the understanding of this issue. The purpose of this study was to close a gap in research by investigating factors that influence students' major selection and how these are related to satisfaction and attainment and to interpret these findings using rational choice theory (RCT).;A total of 1,301 students with 22 majors responded to a questionnaire. The findings indicated the following: (a) students rated autonomy in the major selection process, attainment, and satisfaction levels as low; (b) the higher education application and enrollment system is inequitable in offering various majors to all students; (c) differences were found in major selection, attainment, and satisfaction based on students' background; (d) RCT was beneficial in analyzing students' rationality in the major selection process; and (e) by adding major attainment to the model used in this study a new relationship was identified that can be used as an evaluation method. Additionally, this study found that external influences do not play a mediator role between major selection and satisfaction.;Based on the research findings, recommendations include: (a) increase major selection autonomy; (b) provide equitable support in the major selection process to mitigate gaps caused by students' SES; (c) apply RCT frameworks to Chinese major selection research; (d) continue to research the mediator role major attainment plays using different samples, settings, and research designs and (e) identify additional factors that influence students' major satisfaction.