This study examines the factors influencing student satisfaction among business students in Pakistani universities, focusing on grades, campus facilities, teaching quality, and the moderating role of the year of study. Student satisfaction is crucial for institutional success, impacting retention, reputation, and funding. The research addresses gaps in existing literature by exploring these factors within the context of Pakistani higher education. Data analysis is conducted using Smart-PLS to assess reliability, validity, and structural relationships. Findings reveal that campus facilities and teaching significantly enhance student satisfaction. However, grades do not significantly impact satisfaction, contrary to prior research. The year of study positively correlates with satisfaction, indicating that students become more satisfied as they progress academically. However, the moderating role of the year of study on the relationships between grades, campus facilities, teaching quality, and satisfaction is not supported, suggesting it does not significantly alter these relationships. The study concludes that institutions should prioritize improving campus facilities and teaching quality to boost student satisfaction. While grades do not directly influence satisfaction, fostering a sense of belonging and social bonds can enhance satisfaction over time. The research underscores the importance of addressing both academic and non-academic factors to improve satisfaction in Pakistani universities. Limitations include the study’s focus on a single university and its cross-sectional design. Future research could expand to multiple institutions and incorporate longitudinal studies to better understand how satisfaction evolves. This study offers valuable insights for higher education institutions aiming to enhance student satisfaction and retention in a competitive academic environment.