The higher education sector in Papua New Guinea (PNG) faces persistent challenges in converting increased access into sustained participation and successful completion. Despite policy initiatives such as the Tuition-Fee Free scheme, National Education Plan 2021–2029, and funding reforms, enrolment growth has not consistently translated into improved retention or graduation outcomes. Students from low-income households, particularly female cohorts remain disproportionately affected by financial, transport and socio-cultural barriers. Key factors contributing to attrition include financial instability, inadequate academic preparation, and limited institutional support services. The COVID-19 pandemic further exposed systemic vulnerabilities, including dependence on unstable funding and weak student welfare structures. Evidence from national and institutional trends reveals that while access has expanded, retention and completion remain constrained by insufficient student support systems and misalignment between policy objectives and institutional capacity. Addressing these challenges requires an integrated approach combining financial stabilization, academic bridging programs, counselling and mentoring services, and gender-sensitive interventions. Strengthening data-driven enrolment monitoring, enhancing employability-focused curricula, and promoting flexible learning modes can improve equity, resilience, and long-term sustainability in PNG’s higher education system. A shift from access-oriented to successoriented policy frameworks is essential for transforming higher education into an inclusive and effective driver of national human capital development.