This study aimed to examine Chinese college students' engagement and satisfaction with their university learning experience. In particular, the study focused on emotional engagement and how it was associated with student satisfaction. Nationally representative data from the 2012 China College Student Survey (CCSS) which drew from 55 higher education institutions (N = 67,182; 45.6% female) indicated that Chinese students had high levels of emotional engagement. Emotional engagement positively predicted student satisfaction and also moderated the effect of cognitive engagement on satisfaction. Educational implications are discussed.