Suicide at Colleges: Rates, Research, and Statistics

Note: If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (dial 988), available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All calls are confidential, and anyone can use this service.

Suicide is the third leading cause of death for adults ages 18-24, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It causes about 21% of all injury-related deaths in this age group.^{Note Reference [3]}

While college students have far lower rates of suicide than the general population, a substantial number of students experience suicide-related thoughts and behaviors — some student groups more than others.

This report explores national survey data and research studies about suicide in colleges in order to better understand what challenges students face and what schools can do to support them.

Possibly the most commonly cited study of suicide rates among university students claims that 7.5 out of 100,000 students dies by suicide.^[8] However, the 10-year study of undergraduate and graduate students at Big Ten universities, published in Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, is from the 1980s.

More recent research suggests that the college student suicide rate has decreased over the decades. In another study at Big Ten schools, published by the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, researchers found that 5.6 out of 100,000 students died by suicide between 2009-2018.^{Note Reference [2]}

It’s important to recognize that these studies only looked at 13 large, Midwestern universities.

A 2013 study of 157 four-year colleges published in the Journal of College Student Psychotherapy found that the suicide was the second-leading cause of death for college students, following accidental injury.^{Note Reference [1]} Suicide was more common than death by cancer, homicide, or alcohol-related injuries.

Based on these studies, college students have far lower rates of suicide than the general population. According to the CDC, the suicide rate among all 18-24-year-olds in the U.S. is about 80.5 out of 100,000 people.^{Note Reference [3]} That’s over 14 times the college student suicide rate from the recent Big Ten study.

Feeling connected to one’s school and being able to access mental health care services can be protective factors against suicide. However, many college students experience suicide-related thoughts and have even attempted suicide, which can be a risk factor for suicide in the future.^[9]

Since 2007, the annual Healthy Minds Study has surveyed over 520,000 undergraduate and graduate students. From 2007-2021:^{Note Reference [5]}

These numbers increased in 2022:^{Note Reference [4]}

Additionally, the American College Health Association (ACHA) surveyed nearly 70,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students about their mental health. It included questions that screen for suicide-related thoughts and behaviors.

Transgender and gender-nonconforming students were more likely to report having attempted suicide and other suicide-related behaviors than their cisgender peers.

Pacific Islander, Native American, and Black students have reported far higher rates of attempted suicide than students of other races.^{Note Reference [5]}

When it comes to the general (non-student) population, non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native, white, and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander adults have disproportionately high rates of suicide.^[12]

Suicide is preventable. The CDC lists prevention strategies for states and communities, including: developing financial security and housing, reducing access to lethal weapons among people at risk, improving healthcare, and other interpersonal supports.^[14]

Additionally, research points to some strategies that colleges and people who support college students can use to prevent suicide.

Researchers who used Healthy Minds survey data from 2007-2018, including responses from over 150,000 college students, found that students who perceived higher levels of public stigma around mental health conditions reported higher rates of suicide-related thoughts or attempts.^[15]

A 2019 study including nearly 900 LGBTQ+ students found that experiencing discrimination was linked to depression and suicide attempts. Also, students who had experienced more victimization, such as verbal or physical threats or assaults, reported higher rates of suicide-related thoughts or behaviors.^[16]

Social connectedness was associated with less severe depression and suicidal ideation or behaviors. Additionally, positive identity affirmation (defined by self-acceptance and a sense of belonging) helped curb depression levels for students who had been victimized.

In 2020, researchers used data from roughly 3,400 students who screened for elevated suicide risk to identify barriers to using mental health services. Barriers differed for different student groups.

LGBTQ+, Black, and Hispanic students identified finances and a lack of sensitivity to cultural issues as significant barriers. Women, too, identified a lack of financial resources as a barrier to accessing care. Worries about privacy or stigma kept men and younger students from getting help. White students and older students identified a lack of time as a barrier.^[17]

For more information about preventing suicide, find resources in the guides linked below. Remember, you can always contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988. The line is available 24/7, all calls are confidential, and anyone can use this service.