Institutional Factors and Student Retention: The Mediating Role of Student Satisfaction in Private Universities in Oman

Abstract

Student retention has become a strategic concern for higher education institutions globally due to its direct implications on academic quality, financial sustainability, and institutional reputation. This study examines the impact of institutional factors—including academic staff, university facilities, degree programs, administrative staff, and university location—on student retention in private universities in Oman, with student satisfaction tested as a mediating variable. Using a quantitative design, data were collected from 269 students across five private universities. The findings reveal that all institutional factors significantly and positively influence both student satisfaction and student retention. Further, student satisfaction partially mediates the relationship between institutional factors and retention. The study contributes to the limited regional literature on retention in Gulf institutions and offers actionable insights for improving educational services and policies. The results align with contemporary findings on technology integration, service quality, and institutional performance in higher education (Ahmad et al., 2024; Rababah et al., 2024). Recommendations for policy, practice, and future research are discussed.