Literature on belonging in literature and literary studies recognizes belonging as a multi-dimensional, complex construct. Studies have examined how belonging varies based on individuals’ social identities, environments, relationships, and interactions within those environments. However, the research focuses on specific populations and there is no universal definition or measure of belonging. A review of literature on college students’ sense of belonging shows that belonging depends on perceived support and relationships. For racial minority students, belonging depends on their environments and is facilitated by culturally responsive interactions. Their minority status can inhibit belonging if they face marginalization. Interventions like learning communities, mentorship, and research opportunities can enhance belonging for underrepresented students. For first-generation college students, belonging interventions increased their perceived support, eased their social adjustment to college, and improved their grades. For Black male students, historically Black colleges and universities promoted belonging through cultural familiarity, but at predominantly white institutions, belonging depended on diverse interactions and mentorship. Mentorship and advising also enhanced graduate students’ belonging, especially when advisors were culturally responsive. Participation in campus organizations connected students to peers and enhanced belonging. Other literature conceptualizes ethnic identity, including belonging, as multi-dimensional, varying based on factors like generation, age, context, and gender. Definitions and measurements differ across groups, making comparisons difficult. Some research examines relationships between ethnic and mainstream identity, finding individuals may strongly identify with both, neither, or only one. However, terminology for types of identification (e.g. assimilated, marginal) lacks consistency. While research has linked belonging to outcomes like self-esteem, school achievement, and counselor preferences, inconsistent terminology and measurement limit understanding. Literature would benefit from consistent definitions and cross-culturally valid measures of belonging. The studies’ narrow focus on specific groups also limits understanding of belonging as a broader, widely relevant construct. Overall, while this review outlines what is known about belonging, inconsistent approaches and limited scope constrain a comprehensive understanding of it and its impact.