Student retention is one of the serious problems faced in higher education, with high dropout rates affecting the effectiveness of institutions and learning. This research explores how gamified learning analytics can improve the students’ retention in higher education by investigating the influencing relationship among the seven factors on sustained learning engagement, data-driven early risk detection, motivational reinforcement, etc. The research follows Grey Influence Analysis (GINA) to examine influential relations between factors affecting retention and the proposition of a model, which guides the educators and policymakers. Data were collected from experts having good teaching and research experience in the context. The study identified that Sustainable Learning Environment and Personalized Learning Interventions are the most influential factors to retention, highlighting the importance of student participation with actionable interventions and personalized learning environments for long-term retention to minimize dropouts. The hierarchical framework divides the high, moderate, and low-level factors, which will be helpful for educators to focus on their intervention more and identify the less prioritized aspects. The framework shows the driving influencing relationship of the factors, and the importance of the detection of risks, intrinsic and extrinsic motivations, peer support, and proper performance measurement and progress tracking. The study provides actionable interventions to policymakers on developing gamified environments where sustainable learning is possible, integrating personalized strategies, implementing adaptive practices, etc., which can improve retention. The risk alerts, real-time monitoring through dashboards, collaborative and peer learning, and increasing intrinsic and extrinsic motivations can also be promoted in the higher education setting.