Within OECD countries, 20% of university students continue no further than the first year. The objective of this research is to analyse the antecedents of student commitment, so as to design action plans for reducing dropout rates within higher education. Educational engagement, student--university identification and perception of performance were analysed at the campus of Social and Juridical Sciences of Seville University (Spain). A sample of 641 valid questionnaires was used to analyse the constructs and their complex inter-relations using Partial Least Squares-Simultaneous Equation Modelling. The results revealed a strong relation between identification with and commitment to the university, as well as between educational engagement and identification. Universities as institutions are called on to take action to reduce high early dropout rates by encouraging educational engagement and identification with the university. Such actions might include departments for educational orientation and the promotion of activities to foster enduring links between students and universities.