Nearly two thirds of US college students reported feeling overwhelmed in the previous year, a 64% figure from the 2023 ACHA NCHA II survey. At the same time, many are juggling sleep and mental health strain that can look like burnout, with 52% getting under 7 hours on weekdays and 25% reporting insomnia symptoms in the past month. This is a snapshot where everyday habits and health diagnoses show up together, and it raises a bigger question about what needs attention first on campus.
Key Takeaways
- In the 2023 ACHA-NCHA II survey, 64% of U.S. college students reported feeling overwhelmed by all they had to do in the previous 12 months
- 44% of college students experienced more than average stress in the last 12 months per the 2023 ACHA-NCHA
- Anxiety was diagnosed or treated in 23% of college students in the past year, according to 2023 ACHA data
- 21% of college students consumed fast food 4+ times/week, 2023 ACHA-NCHA
- Only 5% met daily fruit recommendation (2+ servings), ACHA 2023
- 9% met vegetable goal (3+ servings/day), 2023 ACHA survey
- 27% of college students were overweight (BMI 25-29.9) per 2022 CDC data
- Obesity rate (BMI ≥30) among undergraduates 15%, ACHA-NCHA 2023
- 32% reported poor overall health status, 2023 ACHA survey
- 52% of college students got less than 7 hours sleep on weekdays, 2023 ACHA-NCHA
- 7% got 8+ hours sleep consistently, ACHA 2023 survey
- Insomnia symptoms 25% past month, 2023 ACHA data
- 34% of college students binge drank (5+ drinks) in past 2 weeks, 2023 ACHA-NCHA
- 22% used marijuana in past 30 days, ACHA 2023 survey
- Cigarette smoking daily 3%, but 11% occasional, 2023 ACHA data
Most college students face mental health, sleep, and lifestyle challenges, with stress, insomnia, and binge drinking common.
Related reading
01 · Category
Mental Health30 stats
01
In the 2023 ACHA-NCHA II survey, 64% of U.S. college students reported feeling overwhelmed by all they had to do in the previous 12 months
02
44% of college students experienced more than average stress in the last 12 months per the 2023 ACHA-NCHA
03
Anxiety was diagnosed or treated in 23% of college students in the past year, according to 2023 ACHA data
04
12% of undergraduates reported a depression diagnosis in the past year from ACHA 2023 survey
05
39% of students felt hopeless in the last 12 months, ACHA-NCHA II 2023 findings
06
Suicidal ideation affected 11% of college students in the past year, per 2023 ACHA report
07
87% of students felt exhausted (not from physical activity) in the last month, ACHA 2023
08
Loneliness was reported by 54% of students always or most of the time, 2023 ACHA-NCHA
09
26% of students seriously considered suicide in their lifetime, ACHA 2023 data
10
Depression symptoms led to poor academic performance for 20% in past year, 2023 ACHA
11
33% of students felt very lonely in the last 12 months, per Healthy Minds Study 2022
12
Lifetime prevalence of PTSD among college students is 9%, UMASS 2021 study
13
41% reported high psychological distress, 2022 NCHA analysis
14
Bipolar disorder diagnosis in 2% of students past year, ACHA 2023
15
15% experienced panic attacks in past year, 2023 ACHA survey
16
Eating disorder diagnosis in 10% lifetime for females, 2022 CDC college data
17
52% felt sad more than average in last month, ACHA-NCHA 2023
18
Self-harm attempts in 3% past year, Healthy Minds 2023
19
28% diagnosed with ADHD, ACHA 2023 undergraduates
20
Flourishing mental health in only 16% of students, 2023 Healthy Minds
21
37% reported moderate to severe anxiety symptoms, 2022 APA survey
22
22% sought counseling services past year, ACHA 2023
23
Social anxiety affected 18% of students, 2021 NIMH data
24
45% experienced burnout symptoms frequently, 2023 Inside Higher Ed survey
25
Obsessive-compulsive symptoms in 14%, ACHA 2023
26
31% felt worthless in last 12 months, Healthy Minds 2022
27
Lifetime suicide attempts 4%, ACHA-NCHA 2023
28
19% reported grief impacting academics, 2023 ACHA
29
Moderate depression prevalence 24%, 2022 JAMA study on colleges
30
50% anxious about academic performance, 2023 Student Health 360 report
Interpretation
Mental Health Interpretation
Mental health concerns are widespread among college students, with 64% reporting they felt overwhelmed in the past year and 39% reporting feeling hopeless, and these pressures show up in diagnosed anxiety or treatment (23%) and depression (12%).
02 · Category
Nutrition27 stats
01
21% of college students consumed fast food 4+ times/week, 2023 ACHA-NCHA
02
Only 5% met daily fruit recommendation (2+ servings), ACHA 2023
03
9% met vegetable goal (3+ servings/day), 2023 ACHA survey
04
Soda consumption daily 12%, ACHA-NCHA 2023
05
68% ate breakfast 7 days/week, but 32% skipped often, ACHA 2023
06
Fried food 3+ times/week 25%, 2023 ACHA data
07
Dairy 3+ servings/day only 22%, ACHA-NCHA 2023
08
41% consumed energy drinks weekly, 2022 CDC nutrition
09
Whole grains rarely eaten by 55%, ACHA 2023
10
18% followed plant-based diet, 2023 ACHA survey
11
Added sugar > recommended in 76%, 2022 NIH diet study
12
27% ate 5+ servings fruits/veggies daily, ACHA-NCHA 2023
13
Sports drinks daily 8%, ACHA 2023
14
34% dieted to lose weight past month, 2023 ACHA
15
Processed meat frequent 29%, 2022 Harvard college nutrition
16
14% food insecure moderately/severely, Healthy Minds 2023
17
Calcium intake inadequate 62%, ACHA-NCHA 2023
18
23% used protein supplements, 2023 ACHA fitness add-on
19
Sweetened beverages 3+ times/week 48%, CDC 2022
20
11% vegetarian, 4% vegan per ACHA 2023
21
Iron deficiency symptoms 16% females, 2023 ACHA
22
37% snacked instead of meals often, ACHA-NCHA 2023
23
Fiber intake low in 71%, 2022 USDA college report
24
19% avoided gluten intentionally, ACHA 2023
25
Omega-3 sources rare 58%, NIH 2022
26
Late-night eating 43%, ACHA-NCHA 2023
27
28% met protein recommendation daily, 2023 ACHA
Interpretation
Nutrition Interpretation
Nutrition habits among college students look shaky, with only 5% meeting daily fruit goals and just 9% reaching vegetable targets, while 21% eat fast food 4 or more times a week.
03 · Category
Physical Health26 stats
01
27% of college students were overweight (BMI 25-29.9) per 2022 CDC data
02
Obesity rate (BMI ≥30) among undergraduates 15%, ACHA-NCHA 2023
03
32% reported poor overall health status, 2023 ACHA survey
04
Chronic health condition diagnosis in 24% past year, ACHA 2023
05
Asthma affected 12% of students, 2023 ACHA-NCHA II
06
Allergies diagnosed in 28% lifetime, ACHA 2023 data
07
18% had back pain impacting activities, 2023 ACHA
08
Migraine/headache interfered with 14%, ACHA-NCHA 2023
09
Hypertension in 5% of students, 2022 NIH college study
10
Diabetes type 2 diagnosis 2%, ACHA 2023 undergraduates
11
22% reported sleep difficulties due to health, 2023 ACHA
12
Seasonal allergies affected 35%, 2023 NCHA survey
13
9% had repetitive strain injury, ACHA 2023
14
High cholesterol in 4% of college students, 2022 CDC report
15
16% experienced severe pain past month, ACHA-NCHA 2023
16
Autoimmune disease prevalence 3%, 2023 Healthy Minds physical add-on
17
29% had upper respiratory infection past year, ACHA 2023
18
Hearing impairment in 2%, 2023 ACHA data
19
Vision problems uncorrected in 11%, ACHA-NCHA 2023
20
7% diagnosed with thyroid disorder, 2022 endocrine society college survey
21
Stomach issues interfered with 21%, 2023 ACHA
22
13% had sinus issues frequently, ACHA 2023
23
Epilepsy/seizure disorder 1%, 2023 NCHA
24
25% reported fatigue not from activity, ACHA 2023
25
Cancer history in 1% of students, 2022 ACS college data
26
19% had joint pain issues, ACHA-NCHA 2023
Interpretation
Physical Health Interpretation
Physical health among college students shows clear strain, with 27% overweight and another 15% obese, while 32% report poor overall health and 24% have been diagnosed with a chronic condition within the past year.
More related reading
04 · Category
Sleep26 stats
01
52% of college students got less than 7 hours sleep on weekdays, 2023 ACHA-NCHA
02
7% got 8+ hours sleep consistently, ACHA 2023 survey
03
Insomnia symptoms 25% past month, 2023 ACHA data
04
65% pulled all-nighter past year, ACHA-NCHA 2023
05
Poor sleep quality 42%, 2023 Healthy Minds Study
06
18% diagnosed with sleep disorder, ACHA 2023
07
Naps frequent (3+/week) 51%, ACHA-NCHA 2023
08
33% trouble falling asleep past week, 2023 ACHA
09
Sleep affected academics for 55%, ACHA 2023 survey
10
Weekend catch-up sleep 68%, 2022 CDC sleep data
11
12% daytime sleepiness severe, ACHA-NCHA 2023
12
Circadian misalignment 40%, 2023 NIH college study
13
29% woke frequently at night, ACHA 2023
14
Sleep apnea symptoms 9%, 2022 AASM college report
15
47% used sleep aids occasionally, ACHA-NCHA 2023
16
Less than 6 hours sleep 20% nights, Healthy Minds 2023
17
36% sleep deprived by own definition, ACHA 2023
18
REM sleep disruption from screens 62%, 2022 Pew college sleep
19
14% restless legs syndrome symptoms, ACHA-NCHA 2023
20
Sleep inertia affected 23%, 2023 ACHA data
21
56% irregular sleep schedule, ACHA 2023 survey
22
8% hypersomnia diagnosis, 2022 sleep foundation college
23
31% early morning awakening issues, ACHA-NCHA 2023
24
Caffeine after 4pm daily 44%, 2023 ACHA
25
19% snoring loud/frequent, ACHA 2023
26
Sleep debt average 2 hours/weekend, 2022 APA stress report
Interpretation
Sleep Interpretation
Sleep is a clear challenge for college students, with 52% getting less than 7 hours on weekdays and 42% reporting poor sleep quality, suggesting a widespread pattern of insufficient and low-quality rest.
05 · Category
Substance Use26 stats
01
34% of college students binge drank (5+ drinks) in past 2 weeks, 2023 ACHA-NCHA
02
22% used marijuana in past 30 days, ACHA 2023 survey
03
Cigarette smoking daily 3%, but 11% occasional, 2023 ACHA data
04
8% used illicit drugs other than marijuana past year, ACHA-NCHA 2023
05
Vaping e-cigarettes 17% past 30 days, 2023 ACHA
06
Prescription stimulants misuse 10% lifetime, ACHA 2023
07
Alcohol use disorder symptoms in 15%, 2022 SAMHSA college report
08
5% used cocaine past year, ACHA-NCHA 2023
09
Opioid misuse 4% lifetime, 2023 CDC college data
10
Binge drinking females (4+) 28%, ACHA 2023
11
Nicotine use any form 20%, 2023 ACHA survey
12
12% used hallucinogens lifetime, ACHA-NCHA 2023
13
Energy drink consumption with alcohol 9%, 2022 NIH study
14
7% methamphetamine use ever, ACHA 2023 rare
15
Cannabis use disorder 9% among users, 2023 Healthy Minds
16
Hookah use past year 14%, ACHA-NCHA 2023
17
6% benzodiazepine misuse past year, 2022 SAMHSA
18
Alcohol impaired driving 22% past year, ACHA 2023
19
Synthetic marijuana 3%, ACHA-NCHA 2023
20
11% used Adderall without prescription lifetime, 2023 ACHA
21
Tobacco use past month 15%, CDC 2022 college
22
4% heroin use ever, ACHA 2023
23
Frequent binge drinking (3+ times) 14%, ACHA-NCHA 2023
24
16% daily marijuana users, 2023 Monitoring the Future college
25
Ecstasy/MDMA 5% past year, ACHA 2023
26
2% inhalant use lifetime, 2022 NIDA college data
Interpretation
Substance Use Interpretation
Substance use remains a major concern for college students, with 34% binge drinking in the past two weeks and another 17% vaping e-cigarettes in the past 30 days in 2023.
report visual · Key figures
College Students’ Mental Health Burden
Across major mental health stressors, large shares of students report feeling overwhelmed, experiencing anxiety and depressive symptoms, and facing suicide risk.
64%
In the 2023 ACHA-NCHA II survey, 64% of U.S. college students reported feeling overwhelmed by all they had to do in the
44%
44% of college students experienced more than average stress in the last 12 months per the 2023 ACHA-NCHA
23%
Anxiety was diagnosed or treated in 23% of college students in the past year, according to 2023 ACHA data
12%
12% of undergraduates reported a depression diagnosis in the past year from ACHA 2023 survey
11%
Suicidal ideation affected 11% of college students in the past year, per 2023 ACHA report
26%
26% of students seriously considered suicide in their lifetime, ACHA 2023 data
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Alexander Schmidt. (2026, February 13). College Student Health Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/college-student-health-statistics
MLA
Alexander Schmidt. "College Student Health Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/college-student-health-statistics.
Chicago
Alexander Schmidt. 2026. "College Student Health Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/college-student-health-statistics.
Sources & references
22 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level