Research
Motivation, Engagement, and Student Wellbeing in College
Motivation, Engagement, and Student Wellbeing in College presents findings from a national survey examining how students’ motivations for attending college shape their engagement in high-impact educational experiences and their overall well-being. The survey, conducted in January 2026 by LearningWell Coalition, in partnership with AAC&U and Morning Consult, included responses from 872 undergraduate students enrolled at two- and four-year institutions.
The findings reveal strong connections between student motivation, participation in high-impact practices, and student well-being. Students who are driven by personal growth, identity development, learning, and contributing to their communities are more likely to engage in mentorship, internships, service-learning, research with faculty, and other educational experiences associated with stronger engagement and well-being.
Key Findings
Students motivated by giving back to their communities report the highest participation rates across internships, mentorship, service-learning, research with faculty, and study abroad experiences. Students motivated by personal growth and identity development also participate at consistently high levels across many high-impact practices.
Students motivated by contributing to their communities report the highest average well-being scores, followed by students motivated by personal growth, supporting family, and learning. Students motivated primarily by external pressures, affordability concerns, or societal expectations report lower levels of well-being overall.
Mentorship, internships, service-learning, research with faculty, and other applied learning experiences continue to show strong connections to student engagement and well-being. The findings reinforce the importance of meaningful relationships and opportunities to apply learning in real-world settings.
Students who report attending college primarily because it is affordable or expected by others consistently show lower participation rates across many educational experiences associated with stronger student outcomes and well-being.
The findings suggest that increasing access to mentorship, internships, service-learning, research opportunities, and other high-impact practices may help strengthen student engagement, connection, and overall well-being while broadening how students understand the purpose and value of higher education.
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Motivation, Engagement, and Student Wellbeing in College explores how students’ motivations for attending college shape their engagement in high-impact educational experiences and highlights the connections between motivation, student engagement, and well-being.