Abstract:
This study analyzed students’ academic performance in relation to its determinants in public
higher education context of Ethiopia with a specific reference to Ambo University with the main
objective of identifying the main factors affecting academic performance. The sample consisted
of 346 regular undergraduate students who were selected using random sampling method from
2nd year and above students of Ambo University. The data were collected through structured
questionnaires. The independent t-tests, Pearson correlation and Tobit model were used as the
main technique of data analysis so as to identify factors affecting students’ academic
performance. The findings of the study showed that the academic performance of students is
significantly affected by gender, university entrance exam result, English language background,
students monthly pocket money, daily study hour, and class attendance. However age, parental
education, mathematics background knowledge and study habit was found to have no significant
impact on the academic performance of undergraduate students. Finally, the study recommends
that universities and policy makers need to work hard towards improving students’ academic
performance, by considering aforementioned significant determinants of academic performance
