The Influence of Peer Environment on Students’ Interest in Pursuing Higher Education among 12th-Grade Students of the Accounting and Financial Institution Department at SMK Negeri 25 Jakarta

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of peer environment on students’ interest in pursuing higher education among 12th-grade students majoring in Accounting and Financial Institution at SMK Negeri 25 Jakarta. This quantitative associative study was conducted at SMK Negeri 25 Jakarta. The population and sample of the research consisted of 72 students from the 12th-grade Accounting and Financial Institution department. The data analysis revealed a strong correlation coefficient of 0.8061 and a coefficient of determination of 64.98%, indicating the peer environment’s contribution to students’ interest in higher education. Hypothesis testing using t-tests showed t-calculated (11.3975) > t-table (1.9944), confirming a significant influence of the peer environment on students’ interest in pursuing higher education.