Factores que influyen en el rendimiento académico de los estudiantes de las diferentes facultades ofertadas por la Universidad de Cuenca en el año 2015 (cohorte año 2012)

Abstract

This thesis aims to analyze which are the determinant factors of academic performance of the students of the university of Cuenca in the year 2015 (Cohort year 2012). We estimated an Educational production function using least ordinary squares taking the academic performance as dependent variable and age, ENES test grade, graduation grade, dummy variables regarding socio- demographic characteristics and attitudes towards the major among the covariates. Besides, a logistic model was used to estimate the probability of approving or failing the academic semester. Existent literature addresses the topic using multiple linear regression models to determine which factors influence the academic performance and desertion. Also, Probit models are used to determine the probability of desertion. The results indicate that the academic performance of is not affected by the fact some students work. Besides, motivation and satisfaction towards the studies have a direct effect on academic performance. The ENES test grade and the graduation final grade are determinant of the dependent variable. In opposition to the least ordinary squares estimation, the logistic model presents similar results indicating that the probability of desertion has the same tendency that academic performance.