This paper presents a systematic literature review of open distance learning (ODL) research that reports empirical findings on the factors that contribute to students' attrition in the ODL setting. Several prior literature reviews identified self-regulated learning as one of the critical factors that may lead to students dropping out. However, there has been much less understanding of the factors and challenges faced by the students in ODL learning and delivery, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic years. To address this limitation, this study provides a step toward a better understanding of the critical factors contributing to dropout risk, particularly in the ODL environment. Keywords: Open distance learning; Student attrition; COVID-19. eISSN: 2398-4287 © 2022. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by E-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open-access article under the CC  BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer-review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behavior Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioral Researchers on Asians), and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behavior Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/ebpj.v7iSI10%20(Special%20Issue).4136