An examination of the higher education satisfaction index as a measure of student satisfaction

Purpose of the Study. The primary aim of this research was to introduce and validate the Higher Education Satisfaction Index, a comprehensive instrument designed to assess student satisfaction in academic institutions. Method, Design, and Sample. A total of 2687 higher education students in Portugal participated in the study. They were surveyed using the Higher Education Satisfaction Index. Two independent samples were created, and a confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to test the model, which was composed of four correlated factors: Institutional Integration; Socio-Relational Satisfaction Satisfaction; Expectations of Professional Integration; and Student Personal Resources. Results. The findings indicated strong validity and robustness of the index in gauging student satisfaction across the participating institutions. Value to Marketing Educators. The Higher Education Satisfaction Index stands out as a potent tool for both institutions and researchers. It provides an efficient method to measure student satisfaction, thus aiding academic institutions in improving educational experiences and, subsequently, their overall value proposition to students.