THE EFFECT OF ACCREDITATION ON THE UNIVERSITY SELECTION OF UNDERGRADUATE BUSINESS MAJORS: AN EMPIRICAL STUDY

Paul J. Bennett
Susan D. Geringer
James Taylor
California State University, Fresno
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of accreditation on the university
selection of undergraduate business majors, as well as to evaluate whether any significant
variation in regards to perceived value of accreditation exists among students attending Business
schools holding various specialized accreditations and students attending non-accredited Business
schools. Additionally, this study examined whether the presence of accreditation had any
implication on university selection.
The results revealed that students in fact hold a positive perception of accreditation,
although they possess limited knowledge and awareness of specialized Business school
accreditation. Holding a high perception of value whilst maintaining a limited knowledge over the
subject matter is a phenomenon that is identified commonly within multiple facets, especially those
concerning consumer behavior. Students attending both accredited, and non-accredited, Business
schools perceived accreditation as a valuable asset to both the university and to their education,
but it was cost of tuition and location that were identified as the most influential factors in
university selection.