Factors Influencing Students’ Attrition on the Financial Sustainability of Public and Private Universities in Sierra Leone

The study identified the factors influencing student attrition and its impact on the financial sustainability of public and private universities in Sierra Leone. The study examined the Tinto’s theory of student departure (1975) and employed a descriptive research design. The instruments employed during data collection included a structured questionnaire, interview guide and campus observation. The study's target population was selected from different programmes at three public and three private universities in Sierra Leone. The study sampled 300 respondents. The study converted data into percentages, cross-tabulation, and regression analyses using SPSS, excel, and Organisational Network Analysis (ONA) data collection tools, from January 1, 2026, to March 31 2026. A five-point Likert scale (1932) was employed to analyse data. The validity and reliability of the instruments were tested at other universities in Sierra Leone using Cronbach's alpha; the coefficient was 0.86, indicating good internal consistency, (5%) of the valid questionnaires were pretested. (77%) of respondents considered student attrition a very significant issue in Sierra Leone's public and private universities. Ethical protocols were considered during data collection. The study will guide policymakers in the education sector in reviewing and developing new policies to mitigate students’ dropouts of public and private universities in Sierra Leone.