The Impact of Service Quality on Students’ Satisfaction in Higher Education: An Empirical Investigation
Authors
Department of Management SLIATE (ATI - Dehiwala), Colombo (Sri Lanka)
Article Information
DOI: 10.47772/IJRISS.2026.1026EDU0350
Subject Category: Education
Volume/Issue: 10/26 | Page No: 4518-4526
Publication Timeline
Submitted: 2026-05-09
Accepted: 2026-05-14
Published: 2026-06-18
Abstract
The purpose of the study is to investigate students’ satisfaction with higher education service quality and examine its relationship with overall student satisfaction. Ensuring high-quality education enhances the sustainability and growth of the institution. The sustainability of higher education institutions largely depends on their ability to meet or exceed students’ expectations of the service provided by the institution. The findings of the study are based on primary data collected from 300 students via a standardized questionnaire. The study found that overall service quality has a statistically significant impact on student satisfaction. Among the service quality factors evaluated, reliability and empathy have the strongest positive impact on student satisfaction. Further indicate that high levels of satisfaction with assignments and exams, evaluation methods, and lecturers’ knowledge and expertise. However, satisfaction levels are quite low in areas such as comprehending students’ particular issues, the availability of career guidance services, and administrative assistance. Therefore, the study suggests that student support systems should be strengthened by enhancing career advising and counseling services, increasing administrative responsiveness, and cultivating a more student-centered institutional culture. Furthermore, increased investment in physical and technological infrastructure would improve the tangible aspect of service quality. Overall, the study emphasizes the importance of using a comprehensive and integrated approach to service quality management in higher education institutions to improve student satisfaction while also encouraging long-term institutional sustainability and growth.
Keywords
Education, Higher education, Service quality, Student satisfaction
Downloads
References
1. Allam, Z. (2018). Students’ perception of quality in higher education: An empirical investigation. Management Science Letters, 437- 444. 10.5267/j.msl.2018.4.002 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
2. Ali, F., Zhou, Y., Hussain, K., Nair, P. K., & Ragavan, N. A. (2021). Does higher education service quality effect student satisfaction, image and loyalty? Quality Assurance in Education, 29 (2), 153-166. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
3. Al-Samarraie, H., Selim, H., Teo, T., & Zaqout, F. (2021). Isolation and distinctiveness in the design of e-learning systems influence user preferences. Interactive Learning Environments, 29 (1), 1-15. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
4. Bucarey, C., Duque, A., Perez, S. (2021). Student’s satisfaction of the quality of online learning in higher education: An empirical Study. Sustainability, 13 (21),1 -14. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
5. Butt, B & Rehman, K. (2010). A study examining the students’ satisfaction in higher education, Procedia Social and Behavioral Science, 2, 5446–5450. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
6. Chandra, T., Hafni, L., Chandra, S., Purwati, A. A., & Chandra, J. (2020). The influence of service quality, university image, and student satisfaction toward student loyalty. Benchmarking: An International Journal, 27(9), 2623–2636. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
7. Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2018). Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing Among Five Approaches (4th ed.). Sage Publications. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
8. Crowther, D., & Lancaster, G. (2008). Research methods: A concise introduction to research in management and business consultancy. Taylor & Francis Group. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
9. Danish, R.Q., Malik, M., & Usman, A. (2010). The impact of service quality on students’ satisfaction in higher education institutes of Punjab. Journal of Management Research, 2(2) [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
10. De Silva, R., D. (2022). Online learning and its impact on students’ satisfaction in the present economic crisis in Sri Lanka. 5th Annual Research Conference (TRInCo-2022). [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
11. De Silva, R, D. (2023). Developing a measurement scale for perceived service quality in higher education: an empirical study. Journal of Accountancy and Finance, 10 (2). [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
12. Feminist economists report (2025). The education Budget: A pre-budget exploration. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
13. Liyanage, I. K. (2014). Education system of Sri Lanka: Strengths and weaknesses. Institute of Developing Economies, Japan External Trade Organization, 116-140. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
14. Nguyen, T. T., Nguyen, H. M., & Pham, L. H. (2022). Determinants of student satisfaction in higher education: Evidence from developing countries. Higher Education Evaluation and Development, 16 (2), 97 -111. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
15. Haseena, V. A., & Mohammed, A. P. (2015). Aspects of quality in education. Journal of Education and Practice, 6 (4), 100 -105. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
16. Harrison, J. S., Barney, J. B., Freeman, R. E., & Phillips, R. A. (2020). The Cambridge handbook of stakeholder theory. Cambridge University Press. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
17. Ongo, M. (2019). Examining Perceptions of Service Quality of Student Services and Satisfaction Among International Students at Universities in Indiana and Michigan. Andrews University. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
18. Pathmini, M. G. S., Wijewardena, W. P., & Gamage, C. T. (2014). Impact of service quality on students’ satisfaction in higher education institutions in Sri Lanka. Asian Journal of Management Sciences & Education, 3(2), 1-10. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
19. Pheunpha, P. (2020). A factor analysis of student’ perceived service quality in higher education a factor analysis of student' perceived service quality in higher education. ABAC Journal, 39 (4), 90-110. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
20. Razinkina, E. Razinkina, L & Trostinskaya, I. (2018) Student satisfaction as an element of education quality monitoring in innovative higher education institution. E3S Web of Conferences Available at: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
21. Sekaran, U. and Bougie, R. (2020). Research methods for business: A skill-building approach (8th ed.). Wiley. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
22. Zeithaml, V.A. (1988). Consumer perceptions of price, quality, and value: a means-end model and synthesis of evidence. Journal of Marketing, 52, 2-22. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
Metrics
Views & Downloads
Similar Articles
- Assessment of the Role of Artificial Intelligence in Repositioning TVET for Economic Development in Nigeria
- Teachers’ Use of Assure Model Instructional Design on Learners’ Problem Solving Efficacy in Secondary Schools in Bungoma County, Kenya
- “E-Booksan Ang Kaalaman”: Development, Validation, and Utilization of Electronic Book in Academic Performance of Grade 9 Students in Social Studies
- Analyzing EFL University Students’ Academic Speaking Skills Through Self-Recorded Video Presentation
- Major Findings of The Study on Total Quality Management in Teachers’ Education Institutions (TEIs) In Assam – An Evaluative Study