Abstract
This research was conducted to find out the level of motivation and satisfaction of college students in higher education institutions and examine the relationship between motivation and satisfaction. Using the Self-Determination Theory, researchers studied whether and how students’ motivation affects their overall satisfaction. A quantitative descriptive-correlational design was utilized with 257 students from the College of Business Management and Accountancy of Holy Trinity College of General Santos City. The findings reveal that there was moderately high motivation (M = 4.12, SD = 0.807) and satisfaction (M = 3.98, SD = 0.783). Also, there was a very strong and statistically significant relationship (r = 0.809, p < .001) between motivation and satisfaction, meaning that students with stronger motivation tend to be more satisfied with their studies. This study addresses a gap in literature by providing contextualized insights about the link between student motivation and satisfaction in the Philippine higher education system. The findings highlight the importance of fostering autonomy-supportive and student-centered learning environments to enhance both motivation and satisfaction. The study’s originality lies in its integration of theory-based analysis with local data, offering practical insights for educators and policymakers aiming to improve student engagement and well-being.
