Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has generated repercussions in higher education. Therefore, the objective was to determine whether the use of virtual academic media, academic repercussions and adaptability predict satisfaction with studies in university students. Method: Explanatory and transversal study, in which 725 university students of both sexes, between 16 and 44 years of age, residing in the Peruvian coast, highlands and jungle, and enrolled in business sciences, humanities, health, engineering and theology, participated voluntarily. The data were collected through a scale of satisfaction with studies, a scale of use of virtual academic media, a scale of academic repercussions and a scale of adaptability to university life. For the statistical analysis, a structural equation model (SEM) was estimated using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Results: According to the CFA, academic impact ([beta] = 0.22; p < 0.01) and adaptability ([beta] = 0.59; p < 0.01) have a significant effect on satisfaction with studies; in contrast, the use of virtual academic media has a positive ([beta] = 0.07; p > 0.05) but small and non-significant effect. The overall model fitted with acceptable goodness-of-fit indicators (X[superscript 2] = 908.45, with 241 gl, and a p-value < 0.001, CFI = 0.955; IFI = 0.955; NFI = 0.940; GFI = 0.906; TLI = 0.948; RMSEA = 0.062). Discussion and conclusions: Satisfaction with studies in times of virtual education is conditioned by the quality of the use of virtual academic means, perception of possible academic repercussions and the level of adaptation achieved for virtual classes.