In this article we explore the concept of academic motivation with particular attention to intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. After introducing possible factors that may influence academic motivation, we test the impact of these factors with the help of results from an extensive survey at three German universities. Assumed factors are non traditional students-characteristics, expectations regarding studying, field of study, social background, and crowding out. Expectations were found to have the strongest impact on motivation; NTS-characteristics and social background do not have a significant impact on academic motivation. We did not find a crowding out effect between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. Instead, the various aspects of academic motivation have an amplifying effect on each other.