Comparing Student Performance in Multiple Enrollments and Single Enrollments: Possible Target Groups for University Management

Abstract

Austria's university system has no tuition fees and allows students to enroll in an unlimited program number. Public university funding and students’ enrollment validity are dependent on workload per program. This study aimed to compare the workload of students in multiple programs and their status (dropout, graduation) as basis for further research. The European Credit Transfer System credits and contact hours from course appointments were the major workload measures. Outcome status and enrollment type (one vs. multiple programs) were grouping variables. The sample consisted of 58,282 students in 93,705 programs with 23,526,625 single-course appointments between 2010/11 and 2022/23. Analysis of variance models showed that workload becomes higher as more programs are finished, with graduation as the outcome. On every degree level, students in multiple programs have higher workload measures than students in one program. Both dropouts and graduates accomplish higher workloads compared to single-enrollment students. Future research can build upon this study.