The Satisfaction Spectrum: A Comprehensive Examination of Student Experiences in the Arts, Sciences, and Engineering

Abstract

This study investigates the level of satisfaction among Arts, Science, and Engineering students with respect to campus facilities and the overall learning environment. It specifically examines how faculty teaching, academic programs, infrastructure, and extracurricular provisions influence students’ academic experience and perceived learning effectiveness.
Primary data were collected using a structured questionnaire consisting of closed-ended items measured on a Likert scale. The sample included 111 students from Government, Government-aided, and self-financed colleges in the Kanniyakumari district. The data were analyzed using SPSS, employing descriptive statistics such as mean scores and inferential techniques, including one-way ANOVA, to examine differences across student groups.
The results indicate that students generally reported favorable perceptions across all major dimensions, with mean values exceeding 3.5 for most variables, reflecting a satisfactory level of experience. However, the item relating to faculty industrial exposure recorded comparatively lower mean scores (Arts: 3.43; Engineering: 3.49), suggesting a neutral stance among these groups. In addition, ANOVA results demonstrated statistically significant differences in satisfaction levels among Arts, Science, and Engineering students regarding academic programmes and institutional facilities (p < 0.05).
The findings suggest that while institutions are largely effective in delivering quality education and support services, there is a need to strengthen the practical orientation of teaching through increased industry engagement. Addressing these gaps can further improve student satisfaction and academic outcomes.
Future research may extend this work by incorporating larger and more diverse samples, as well as additional variables such as digital learning systems, employability skills, and institutional support mechanisms to provide deeper insights into student satisfaction in higher education.