Measuring Student Satisfaction
The University of Alabama Online partnered with Ruffalo Noel Levitz in administering the Priorities Survey for Online Learners (PSOL) in 2021. Many colleges across the nation use this assessment to measure student expectations and satisfaction with various online college-related experiences; the assessment is widely recognized throughout higher education.
Students who complete the survey provide two ratings for each of 54 expectations about their online college experiences. First, they indicate how important it is that the institution meets each of the expectations. Second, they indicate how satisfied they are that the institution has met those expectations. The results of the survey identify both strengths and growth areas for the university and are used to inform student success initiatives, strategic planning and continuous improvement initiatives.
The University of Alabama Online will conduct the PSOL each year in effort to enhance the online learner experience. Student satisfaction outcomes provide an opportunity to evaluate The University of Alabama Online experience with comparable national data for the past four years. Results of the 2021 PSOL revealed that UA Online student satisfaction exceeded the national average, with 84% of our current students affirming that they would enroll at UA again if given the opportunity. The 928 students that completed the survey identified the top strengths of UA Online programs as the reputation of UA Online, clear and reasonable program requirements, accessibility of advisors and convenience of registration, billing and payment.