Objectives: This study attempted to identify relationships between alcohol consumption and first-to-second-year student retention among college students. Methods: 820 students in general education courses completed an online wellness assessment at four separate time points, including questions related to alcohol consumption. Data were analyzed with PAWS, and alpha set at p=0.05. Results: Male students reported higher rates of drinking and heavy episodic drinking compared to females. Male students also had a significantly higher risk of lower retention associated with both social drinking and heavy episodic drinking compared to female students. Conclusions: Social drinking and heavy episodic drinking were both associated with decreased retention in male students, thereby extending the scope of academic problems associated with student drinking.