Health & Wellness Survey: The Pulse on Undergraduate Student Wellbeing in 2025
For nearly three decades, Campus Health has conducted the annual Health and Wellness Survey, a wide-ranging assessment of student behaviors, attitudes, and experiences. Administered each February, the survey covers the following components of wellbeing: mental health, alcohol and other drug (AOD) behaviors, nutrition and body image, physical health, violence, sexual health, service utilization, and more.
The data provides a broad picture of student needs and wellness trends for stakeholders. The results, along with other evaluation efforts, guide decision-making at Campus Health, shaping services, communications, programming, and policy recommendations. "This work is essential to effectively inform resources and policy to best support students at the U of A,” said Ande Nutter, Evaluation Specialist at Campus Health.
In February 2025, 3,928 undergraduate students completed the survey, yielding a response rate of 35%. These 2025 results offer the latest insights into the health and wellness of undergraduate U of A students.
Note: the data summaries below are provided by Ande Nutter, MPH, Evaluation Specialist and Rachel Abraham, MPH, Evaluation Manager at Campus Health.
Alcohol & Other Drugs (AOD)
By the Numbers:
- Nearly 60% of students reported that the last time they drank alcohol was within the past 30 days, with an average BAC of 0.066 (under the .08 federal legal limit).
- Students who choose to drink average approximately 1 drink per hour.
- The vast majority of students (68%) drink in a social setting once or twice a month or less.
- 94% of students who drink refuse to ride with a driver who has been drinking.
- 74% of students who drink, choose lower alcohol content drinks (beer, hard seltzer, etc.).
- 39% of students used any form of marijuana since August 2024.
AOD Data Summary:
Undergraduate students are engaging in several risk reduction strategies when they choose to drink. By alternating with non-alcoholic beverages, choosing lower alcohol content drinks, and setting a limit on the number of drinks they have, many U of A students take steps to reduce their risk if and when they drink. The 2025 results show students are drinking less than in the past and 1 in 4 never drink in a social setting, showing that many choose to abstain from alcohol.
Physical Health
By the Numbers
- On average, students intentionally perform exercise 3.5 out of the past 7 days.
- Students averaged waking up feeling rested 4 out of the past 7 days.
- Nearly 1 in 5 students who were hungry did not eat because there wasn’t enough money for food in the last 12 months.
- 27% of students reported they have or are currently suffering from disordered eating.
Physical Health Data Summary
Food insecurity can directly impact physical health, mental health, connection, and academics of students in higher education. The U of A Campus Pantry a student-run supplemental grocery program serving the community, serves as a vital resource to alleviate hunger. The 2025 data highlights that discussions about basic needs are essential to support student success.
Additionally, nutrition and body image remain topics of importance. “Eating disorders have the second highest mortality rate of all mental health disorders surpassed only by opioid use disorder. Disordered eating and body image distress is prevalent on college campuses as this is a time of transition and students often feel social pressures around food, beauty and body ideals. Education and awareness are essential and early intervention saves lives,” said Lisa MacDonald, Nutrition Services Manager at Campus Health.
Mental Health
By the Numbers
- Nearly 9 out of 10 of students say they have experienced at least one mental health symptom since August 2024, with feeling overwhelmed by all they had to do being the most common.
- Nearly 1 in 4 students received counseling or therapy for mental or emotional health in the last 12 months.
- 41% of students have indicated they have experienced more than average stress since August 2024.
- 28% of students have been diagnosed with anxiety.
- 19% of students have been diagnosed with depression.
- 13% of students have been diagnosed with an attentional disorder.
Mental Health Data Summary
At the Health Promotion Hideaway in the Bear Down Building, students are given opportunities to connect with others, destress and find a place of belonging all in a centrally located lounge. Additionally, less students are citing financial reasons as to why they have not sought mental health services. We hypothesize this could be due in part to CAPS offering free groups and workshops and the over 1,00 free mental health care coordination appointments that were accessed the 2025 academic year.
Sexual Health
By the Numbers
- 48% of woman identifying students use a form a birth control.
- Of those who have been sexually active since August 2024, 65% have had one sexual partner.
- 34% of sexually active students have been tested for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) in the last year.
- 48% of students know they can be tested for STIs at Campus Health without details showing on their Bursar’s account.
Sexual Health Data Summary
While 48% of woman identifying students utilize a form of birth control, 58% of sexually active undergraduate students usually or always use a condom. Aside from condoms, popular forms of birth control include Oral Contraceptive Pills (56%) and Intrauterine Device (IUDs) (27%). Campus Health offers comprehensive sexual health programming as well as medical services to aid in a student's health and academic journey. Most notably, nearly 1 in 2 students knew that they could get tested for STIs at Campus Health without details showing on their Bursar’s account.
Campus Health publishes the Health & Wellness Survey results each year to ensure they are accessible to the entire campus community. The results offer insights into the experiences and health of University of Arizona students. One data point that stands out: 99.8% of students who used a Campus Health service said it helped them remain a student at the University of Arizona. This finding underscores the connection between student wellness, service utilization, and student persistence.
Campus Health’s commitment to promoting health, wellness, and safety directly supports the University’s Success for Every Student strategic imperative.
From launching new initiatives, increasing the visibility of services, or shaping policies and programs that prioritize wellbeing, every campus unit can support student wellness. When student health and wellness are part of decision making, the entire campus community is better equipped to help students succeed.
“The annual Health and Wellness Survey is a vital resource for understanding that student wellbeing and health behaviors impact their educational engagement. It allows the University to stay attuned to students’ experiences and to respond to emerging needs and trends over time.” said Kendra Thompson-Dyck, Director of Assessment & Research at The University of Arizona.
The Health and Wellness Survey is administered to a sample of randomly selected classrooms. Undergraduate courses with 25+ students enrolled have a 50% chance to be selected, and graduate courses with 15+ students have a 40% chance. Course instructors invite team members from Campus Health’s Health Promotion department to present and administer the survey over 20 minutes of class time. Students can opt-in to the survey via QR code or URL after a brief overview provided by the Campus Health staff. While there are no incentives for students who respond, the Health and Wellness Survey yields a high level of participation.
For questions regarding the survey, results, or methodology please contact Rachel Abraham at rachelabraham@arizona.edu or visit health.arizona.edu/data.
See more data from Campus Health including the 2025 Health & Wellness Survey Graduate student data.