This study analyzed undergraduate students' (n = 280) attitudes toward selected social factors that would influence and discourage student persistence at a four-year research university. Using a modified Delphi technique to construct the questionnaire, the researchers discovered that family encouragement, positive relationships with professors, and positive course experiences were the most agreed social factors that encourage student persistence. Additionally, respondents agreed that burn out from school-related responsibilities, lack of time management skills, and the inability to handle stress as negative social factors that would discourage student persistence. The article concludes with a discussion about the role and importance of universities to invest in the required amount of effort needed to ensure that students are experiencing academic success and social congruence. (Contains 3 tables.)