Retention rates of first generation college student (FGCS) became a growing concern for leaders of educational institutions in the U.S. FGCS were several times more likely to exit college without a degree as compared to their traditional counterparts. The Model of Institutional Departure offered a general framework of college student retention. However, the model lacked the identification of specific constructs that predict retention. The purpose of this quantitative, archival, nonexperimental study was to determine the statistical predictive significance of prescribed factors, including generational status, financial factors, and non-financial factors, on freshman-to-sophomore year retention for students at a regional state university in Missouri (RSUM) and further determined whether financial and non-financial variables differentially predicted retention of FGCS versus non-FGCS. The sample included 7,548 students who enrolled at RSUM between August 2009 and August 2014. This study utilized a single archival data set that was provided by RSUM's Office of Institutional Research. Drawing on Tinto's seminal research regarding college retention, this research proposed a multivariate logistic regression model to determine the statistical predictive significance of prescribed factors, including generational status, expected family contribution, total loan eligibility, loans received, scholarships received, grants received, age, sex, high school GPA, ACT score, on-campus residency, distance between RSUM and home of record, and total college credits earned before college. A secondary analysis utilized two multivariate logistic regression models to determine whether expected family contribution, total loan eligibility, loans received, scholarships received, grants received, age, sex, high school GPA, ACT score, on-campus residency, distance between RSUM and home of record, and total college credits earned before college differentially predict first-year college retention among FGCS versus non-FGCS. The results of this study suggested that generational status (FGCS or not), EFC, scholarships received, grants received, ACT score, high school GPA, and college credits earned before college, were all significant predictors of first-year college retention. The results of the secondary analysis showed the predictor variables EFC, loan eligible, grants received, and campus residency were each significant predictors of first-year retention for one sub-group (FGCS versus non-FGCS), but not the other. Results of this study corroborated prior research as well as encountered contradictions. It is recommended that future empirical studies utilize the factors found to be significant predictors of college retention in this study, as well as evaluate the significance of additional constructs contained in the body of current retention theories in order to better predict first-year college retention. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]