Depression in College Students: New Statistics and Research
Reading Time: 6 minutesCollege is typically one of the most exciting times in a young person’s life—and also one of the most stressful. Positive experiences of connection, learning, and independence are counterbalanced by academic and social pressures. On top of that, college students are facing the challenges of being away from home for the first time.
As a result, depression in college is common. In fact, a 2024 Healthy Minds survey found that college depression is more prevalent than anxiety, eating disorders, or self-harm. In fact, close to 40 percent of college students reported moderate or severe depressive symptoms. Moreover, research based on Healthy Minds data found that LGBTQIA+ college students are more than three times as likely to report depression as their straight, cisgender peers.
Key Takeaways
- Depression is the most common mental health condition among college students, with anxiety a close second.
- Two-thirds of students who drop out of college do so for mental health reasons.
- Top stressors for college students include loneliness, academic pressure, and disrupted eating and sleeping routines.
- To overcome college depression, students are accessing mental health services and practicing self-care.
How Many College Students Have Depression?
The new Healthy Minds report on college depression surveyed 100,000-plus college students from 200 universities across the United States. The report included the following stats:
- 19 percent reported severe depressive symptoms
- 38 percent reported moderate or severe symptoms of depression
- 34 percent reported moderate or severe anxiety symptoms
- 26 percent reported having engaged in self-harm
- 13 percent had considered suicide
- Another 13 percent reported eating disorders
- 1 in 5 reported that emotional or mental difficulties have hurt their academic performance
Furthermore, another study comparing 2013 and 2022 data found that students’ mental health has steadily declined over the past decade. The research showed that the number of students reporting conditions such as major depression and anxiety disorder had increased by 50 percent over that time span.
In addition, the study looked at mental health among specific groups of students. Mental health worsened among all ethnic and racial groups over the eight years. American Indian/Alaskan Native students experienced the largest increases in depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. And students of color were the least likely to access treatment.
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The Most Depressed College Students by Major
While college students across all areas of study experience depression, some majors in particular seem to be associated with depression. A survey by the higher education research group Degreechoices found that college students with the following majors reported the highest increases in depression between 2019 and 2024:
- Medicine
- Law
- Social work
- Engineering
- Business
- Nursing
- Pre-professional
- Natural science or mathematics
- Humanities
- Social sciences
Know the Facts
Depression among medical students increased by 35 percent between 2019 and 2024.
Which Students Are Most Vulnerable to College Depression?
In addition to their major, students can be more vulnerable to depression due to other factors. The following groups experience higher rates of both anxiety and depression on college campuses:
- Low-income students
- Students of color
- Female students
- LGBTQ students
- Students who are caregivers for children or other adults.
College Depression Stats in LGBTQ Students
Yet another study looked at college depression increases between 2007 and 2022. Researchers found that LGBTQIA+ students were 3.18 times more likely to report depression than cisgender, heterosexual students. On average over the 15 years, 26.85 percent of LGBTQIA+ college students reported depression, versus 8.53 percent of cishet students. These students reported experiencing discrimination and not feeling a sense of belonging in their school community, contributing to their depressive symptoms.
LGBTQIA+ students with depression were twice as likely to seek therapy compared to their peers. But they were also only half as likely to seek support from family members. Unfortunately, this population experiences high rates of rejection from family members—leading many to find what’s known as chosen family.
Our findings highlight a growing mental health crisis among LGBTQIA+ students that demands immediate attention,
David Pagliaccio
Dropping Out of College Due to Depression
Withdrawing from college due to depression is also becoming a frequent occurrence among young adults. According to the National Association for Mental Illness, 64 percent of college students who dropped out do so because of mental health disorders. Moreover, half of those who ended up leaving college with depression hadn’t accessed any mental health services while on campus.
According to a 2024 Gallup poll, 35 percent of college students nationally report they have considered leaving their program in the past six months. Emotional stress (54 percent) and mental health reasons (43 percent) were the top reasons they cited for thinking about dropping out of college.
Why Depression in College Students Is Rising
Depression in college students had become increasingly prevalent, with counseling services unable to keep up with college depression rates. Coming of age in a world struggling with vast political and economic divisions, climate change, and systemic racism has left many young adults feeling hopeless about their own future and the future of the planet. Furthermore, Gen Z has been branded “the loneliest generation,” due in large part to the growing lack of face-to-face connection in favor of less meaningful online interactions.
College students report that their most common stressors include:
- Loneliness and isolation
- Difficulty concentrating
- Problems sleeping
- Disrupted eating patterns
- Concerns about academic performance
Know the Facts
63% of college students say their emotional health is worse than it was in 2019, and 56% are significantly concerned with their ability to care for their mental health.
The Good News About College Depression
There is some good news about depression in college students. For one, the 2024 Healthy Minds survey found that rates of anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and self-harm have all gone down slightly since 2023 survey. And the 2023 stats showed slight improvements from 2022.
In addition, more students with depressive or anxiety symptoms (61 percent vs. 60 percent in 2023 and 59 percent in 2022) are opting to start mental health therapy or counseling. And stigma around mental healthcare remains fairly low. Only 7 percent of college students reported that they would think less of someone who has received mental health treatment.
How to Cope with Depression in College
Given the pressure of college, it’s hard for students to find effective ways to cope with college depression and stress. A Jed Foundation study on college kids and depression found that 60 percent of students have difficulty coping with stress in a healthy way. Instead, they often turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms. Substance abuse continues to be the most common negative coping mechanism for college students.
However, many students are doing self-care practices that support their well-being, even as depression on college campuses rises. When asked how to cope with depression in college, below are some of the best and most effective approaches that students reported using, whether they were at home or on campus. All of these methods are scientifically validated, meaning that research has demonstrated their ability to enhance mood and reduce cortisol (the stress hormone).
- Mindfulness, including meditation, yoga, and breathing exercises
- Establishing daily routines and organizational systems in order to stay focused and on track
- Limiting exposure to news and media
- Positive reframing—looking at situations in a more hopeful light
- Taking breaks from coursework to do relaxing hobbies, such as reading or drawing
- Engaging in positive social media interactions
- Playing with pets
- Journaling about their emotions and experiences
- Physical exercise; sedentary habits in college students is directly linked with higher depression rates
- Getting outdoors and connecting with nature
- Sleeping more—seven to nine hours per night is ideal
- Counseling, on campus or through telehealth
- Listening to music—the Jed Foundation survey found nearly three-quarters of college students used this tool to support their emotional health
- Connecting with family and friends, either in person or virtually
Furthermore, it’s important for young adults to recognize that “it’s okay to not be okay.” When young people practice self-compassion and self-acceptance rather than ignoring or judging their difficult emotions, they are building resilience that will support them now and into the future.
Treatment for Depression in College Students
In summary, if a student is failing college because of depression, or is struggling in their daily functioning at school, they need more support than campus counseling services are typically able to provide. In these cases, outpatient or residential programs may be necessary to address the effects of depression on college students.
Newport Institute specializes in guiding young adults to sustainable healing through tailored treatment plans. Our approach to treatment for depression in college students encompasses clinical, experiential, academic, and life skills modalities. We support young people to find self-worth, healthy coping skills, and a sense of purpose and meaning.
If you or someone you love is experiencing depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, or other mental health symptoms, we can help. Contact us today to learn more about our integrated approach.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many college students are depressed?
Which college students are more likely to be depressed?
How many students drop out of college due to mental health problems?
Why are college students so depressed?
