Impact of Socioeconomic Factors on Academic Performance A Gender-Based Study among University Students

Abstract

The study examined the effect of gender and socioeconomic characteristics on the academic performance of university students, as measured by their academic scores. The study aimed to i) examine the socioeconomic factors affecting undergraduates, ii) investigate the academic performance of undergraduates, and iii) analyze the comparative impact of socioeconomic factors on the academic scores of undergraduates. Data from 480 students enrolled in the BS program at three selected universities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was collected using a questionnaire that investigated the socioeconomic status of their parents. The data analysis indicated that factors such as parental qualifications, parental income, parental work type, and the family's social position do not influence academic performance based on gender. Regardless of parents’ social class, the quality of learning facilities impacts student’s academic success, indicative of parents’ involvement in the studies. It is suggested to provide scholarships and establish assistance programs aimed at enhancing the academic performance of undergraduates whose parents possess fewer resources due to poor income and job positions.