Student loyalty to higher education institutions plays a significant role in ensuring these institutions' long-term maintenance and development. However, it remains unclear how the changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic have affected the perceived loyalty of university students. This narrative review investigates how the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on students' perceived loyalty toward higher education institutions have been addressed in the literature from 2020 to 2023. The review is also enriched by the anecdotal information from informal focus group discussions with undergraduate students of the Faculty of Psychology at Universitas Indonesia. An examination of six relevant papers reveals that the quality of service during the pandemic is linked to student satisfaction, which indirectly predicts student loyalty. Furthermore, insights from anecdotal information suggest that the primary factor contributing to student satisfaction is the perception of a social environment that is pleasant, supportive, and provides room for growth. Student satisfaction, arising from quality services, especially through student engagement, generates a favorable university image and reputation, leading to loyalty to the university. This perception remains consistent despite various pandemic-related changes and uncertainties. In conclusion, this narrative review and anecdotal information shed light on the necessity of continued emphasis on service quality and the creation of supportive social environments in maintaining student loyalty during uncertain times. Given these findings, future research priorities should include analyzing social elements impacting satisfaction, conducting post-COVID-19 longitudinal studies on loyalty, and developing quantitative measurement tools for assessing the influence of perceived image and reputation on loyalty