Retention in Higher Education: An Agent-Based Model of Social Interactions and Motivated Agent Behavior Amira Al-Khulaidy Stine 1[0000−0002−4879−9857] and Andrew Crooks 2[0000−0002−5034−6654] 1 Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Planning George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA 2 Department Geography University at Buffalo, North Campus, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA astine3@gmu.edu, atcrooks@buffalo.edu Abstract. In the United States, educational attainment and student retention in higher education are two of the main focuses of higher edu- cation research. Institutions are constantly looking for ways to identify areas of improvement across different aspects of the student experience on university campuses. This paper combines Department of Education data over a 10 year period, U.S. Census data, and higher education theory on student retention, to build an agent-based model of student behavior. Furthermore we model student social interactions with their peers along with considering environmental components (e.g., urban vs. rural cam- puses) and institution personnel to explore the elements that increase the likelihood of student retention. Results suggest that both social in- teractions and environmental components make a difference in student retention. Suggesting that higher education institutions should consider new ways to accommodate learning needs that promote better student outcomes. Keywords: Agent-Based Model · College Campuses · Higher Education · Department of Education · Social Interactions · Student Retention. 1 Introduction The effects of educational attainment on individuals and society have been the subject of many national and international reports, including the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD; [34]). In the United States, educational attainment and student retention in higher education is one of the main focuses of higher education research with institutions looking for new ways to identify areas of improvement across different aspects of the student expe- rience on university campuses[40]. In the United States, current methods of research proposed and funded by the Department of Education focus on a few key variables that pertain to the students socio-economic background, finances, support at institutions, and selected majors. However, research is still needed