This study examines the academic, social, financial and institutional environments of a southern university in the United States to determine their relation to the retention of the university's art and design students. Its objective is to correlate variables in retention data to understand key elements in the institutional environment which may affect persistence. Ultimately, it searches for possible causal patterns among variables in order to make predictions and offer suggestions about academic, social and environmental factors that may or may not motivate art students to experience institutional fit. The ongoing departure of art and design students continues to puzzle because there are no definitive causes or solutions that apply to all students. Results of the study suggest that THIS SCHOOL and other art and design institutions should develop and promote policies, programs, and individual help for students who need it to assure an environment where the artistic temperament may be nourished and remain healthy. Responses to survey statements indicate a need for more proactive student-centered programs and improved financial services to promote better institutional fit. The study demonstrates that some variables (the handling of student grievances, lack of student activities, and the maintenance and regular upgrading of educational technology) are linked with departure, while negative or no correlations are found with student perceptions of faculty, challenging academic classes, knowledgeable financial aid representatives and student/teacher ratios. However, there are also several areas where the findings are mixed or contradictory. Therefore, study results suggest the need for continued research in the area of attrition among art and design students.