Success in College: Meta-Analysis Reveals the Most Important Factors Although many factors are implicated in college success, a meta-analysis of over 200 research studies pointed to motivational factors as the strongest predictor of college success (Richardson & others, 2012). The belief that you have the skills and abilities to succeed in college, a trait called performance self-efficacy, was more important than high school grades, test scores, and social or economic status.

Ellis Bronte/age fotostock