Factors associated with international students' motivations to study at West Virginia University

Increasing international student enrollments requires an understanding of international students' motivations for studying abroad. This study sought to identify the factors associated with international students' motivation to study in the United States and particularly at West Virginia University. An internet survey was sent via email to all 1183 international students enrolled at WVU in spring of 2009. A 29.4% response rate (344 students) was achieved. Based on an analysis of responses received, respondents' top motivations for studying at WVU included the United States' reputation for high quality teaching, respect for United States degrees abroad, the global perspective the United States offers all careers, better teaching aids and the preference of employers in respondents' home countries for United States earned degrees. The top factors influencing the respondents' choice of WVU were the availability of financial aid at WVU, higher demand to international degrees by employers, positive recommendations from students abroad, and the prevalence of advanced research techniques at WVU.