15 Best Dating Apps For College Students To Get Acquainted

College is a time for new experiences, and dating is no exception. With so many dating apps and websites available, it can be tough to know where to start. 

That’s why we’ve compiled this list of the 15 best dating apps for college students in 2024.

Some of the features that make these apps great for college students include:

• Location-based matching: These apps allow you to find potential matches who are nearby, making it easy to meet up for a date.

• Interest-based matching: These apps allow you to filter your matches by interests, so you can find people who share your passions.

• Security features: These apps have security features to protect users, such as photo and identity verification.

So if you’re looking for love or a good time, check out one of the apps on this list. You never know who you might meet!

Whether you’re looking for a casual fling or a serious relationship, there’s an app on this list. So what are you waiting for? Start swiping today!

Do College Students Use Dating Apps?

Yes, college students do use dating apps. A study by Pew Research Center found that 67% of college students have used a dating app or website. 

Dating apps have become increasingly popular among young adults, including college students, to meet new people and potentially find romantic or sexual partners. 

College students’ most popular dating apps are Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge.

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Why Do College Students Use Dating Apps?

College students use dating apps for a variety of reasons. Some of the most common reasons include:

To meet new people

College is a time for new experiences, and dating apps can be a great way to meet new people and make friends.

To find a romantic partner

Dating apps can be a great way to find potential romantic partners, whether you’re looking for a casual fling or a serious relationship.

To boost their self-esteem

Dating apps can be a great way to boost self-esteem, especially for students new to college or who have had difficulty meeting people.

To have fun

Dating apps can be a fun way to meet new people and have new experiences.

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What Are The Best Dating Apps For College Students?

Here are 15 of the best dating apps for college students:

1. Tinder

Tinder is a popular dating app that many college students use. The free app allows users to swipe left or right on potential matches. If two users swipe right on each other, they are matched and can start messaging each other. 

Tinder is a great way for college students to meet new people and make friends. It can also be a great way to find potential romantic partners. However, it is important to use Tinder safely and responsibly.

Pros

• Meet new people: Tinder is a great way to meet new people on campus. This is a great way to make friends or find a romantic partner.

• Explore your interests: Tinder can help you explore and meet people who share them. For example, if you’re into hiking, you can swipe through profiles of people who are also into hiking. 

• Build confidence: Tinder can help you build confidence. When you start getting matches on Tinder, it can help you feel good about yourself.

Cons

• It can be addictive. Tinder is a very easy app to use, and it can be easy to get caught up in swiping and chatting with people. This can lead to spending too much time on the app and neglecting your studies or other commitments.

• It can be superficial. Tinder is a visual app; people snap judgments about you based on your photos. This can lead to you feeling judged or insecure.

• It can be dangerous. There have been reports of people being catfished, harassed, or even assaulted after meeting someone on Tinder.

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2. Bumble

Bumble is a dating app founded in 2014 by Whitney Wolfe Herd. The app is designed to give women more control over their dating experience. 

On Bumble, women make the first move, sending messages and setting up dates. Bumble is a popular dating app that is especially well-suited for college students. 

Pros

• Women make the first move. This is a great way to ensure that women feel safe and respected on the app and helps cut down on spam messages.

• There are student-only features. For example, you can confirm your student status and add a college sticker to your profile. This can help you connect with other students on campus.

• The app is safe and secure. Bumble uses photo verification and in-app chatting to help keep users safe.

Cons

• The time limit can be restrictive. On Bumble, women have 24 hours to send the first message after matching with someone. This can be restrictive for students busy with classes, work, or other activities.

• The app can be superficial. Bumble is based on swiping through profiles, which can lead to people making snap judgments based on appearance. This can make it difficult to find genuine connections.

• There can be a lot of fake profiles. As with any dating app, there is a risk of encountering fake profiles on Bumble. This is especially true for college students, who may be more likely to create fake profiles to meet new people. Visit Website

3. OkCupid

OkCupid is a dating app that was established in 2004. The app is specifically designed to assist individuals in finding matches based on their interests, values, and personality traits. OkCupid has a large user base, including many college students.

Pros

• Interest-based matching: OkCupid allows users to answer various questions about their interests, values, and personality. This information matches users with other users who share similar interests.

• A focus on compatibility: OkCupid’s matching algorithm is designed to find matches that are compatible with each other. This means that users are more likely to find matches with whom they have things in common and who they are likely to get along with.

• A variety of features: OkCupid offers a variety of features that can help college students meet new people. These features include sending messages, viewing profiles, and participating in forums. 

Cons

• Can be overwhelming: OkCupid has a large user base, which can be overwhelming for some people. If you are new to online dating, it can indeed be challenging to navigate through numerous profiles and find matches that align well with your preferences.

• Can be superficial: OkCupid is based on swiping through profiles, which can lead to people making snap judgments based on appearance. This can make it difficult to find genuine connections.

• There can be a lot of fake profiles: As with any dating app, there is a risk of coming across fake profiles on OkCupid. This is especially true for college students, who may be more likely to create fake profiles to meet new people. Fake profiles can be used for various purposes, such as catfishing or scamming people. Visit Website

4. Grindr

Grindr is a dating app that was founded in 2009. It is specifically designed to connect gay, bisexual, trans, and queer men. Grindr is one of the most popular dating apps in the world, and it has a large user base of college students.

Pros

• Large user base: Grindr has a large user base of college students, so you will likely find people interested in the same things you are.

• Easy to use: Grindr is easy to use, and you can start chatting with people immediately.

• Anonymity: Grindr allows you to be anonymous, so you can feel comfortable chatting with people you don’t know.

Cons

• Can be superficial: Grindr is based on swiping through profiles, which can lead to people making snap judgments based on appearance. This can make it difficult to find genuine connections.

• Can be used for hookups: Grindr is often used for hookups, so you may not find people who are looking for a serious relationship.

• There can be a lot of fake profiles: As with any dating app, there is a risk of coming across fake profiles on Grindr. These profiles can be used for various purposes, such as catfishing or scamming people.

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5. Zoosk

Zoosk is a dating app that was founded in 2007. The app is designed to help people find matches based on their interests, values, and personality. Zoosk has a large user base, including many college students.

Pros

• Large user base: Zoosk has a large user base of college students, so you will likely find people interested in the same things you are. This can be especially helpful for college students looking for people who share their academic or social interests. 

• Behavioral matchmaking: Zoosk’s behavioral matchmaking algorithm can help you find matches more likely to be compatible with you. This is based on your likes, dislikes, and interests. 

• A variety of features: Zoosk offers a variety of features that can help college students meet new people. These features include sending messages, viewing profiles, and participating in forums. 

Cons

• Can be superficial: Zoosk is based on swiping through profiles, which can lead to people making snap judgments based on appearance. This can make it difficult to find genuine connections.

• Can be expensive: Zoosk offers a premium subscription service that gives users access to additional features. This can be expensive for some college students.

• There can be a lot of fake profiles: As with any dating app, there is a risk of coming across fake profiles on Zoosk. These profiles can be used for various purposes, such as catfishing or scamming people.

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6. HER

HER is a dating app designed for lesbian, bisexual, queer, non-binary, and gender-nonconforming women. The app was founded in 2014 by Robyn Exton, and it has a large user base of college students.

Pros

• It’s a women-focused app. HER is a dating app for queer, lesbian, and bi women. This means you’re more likely to find women interested in dating women on HER than on other dating apps.

• It’s a safe and inclusive space. HER is committed to creating a safe and inclusive space for all users. The app has several features that help to protect users, such as the ability to report profiles and messages and block users.

• It’s a great way to meet other queer women on campus. If you’re a queer woman in college, HER is a great way to meet other queer women on campus. The app has a large user base of college students, so you’re sure to find someone who shares your interests.

Cons

• It can be unsafe. As with any dating app, there is always the risk of meeting someone who is not who they say they are or who may have malicious intentions. HER has several safety features, such as reporting users and blocking them, but it is still important to be aware of the risks.

• It can be superficial. Like other dating apps, HER is based on swiping left or right on profiles, which can lead to people making snap judgments about potential matches based on their appearance. 

• It can be time-consuming. Swiping through profiles and messaging with matches can take up much time, especially if you are not getting many matches. This can be a problem for college students busy with classes, extracurricular activities, and other commitments.

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7. Hinge

Hinge is a popular dating app designed to be more relationship-oriented than other apps like Tinder. It is a good option for college students looking for something more serious than a hookup.

Pros

• It’s a more relationship-oriented app. Hinge is designed to be more thoughtful and relationship-oriented than other dating apps like Tinder. 

• It’s more selective. Hinge uses a “slow-match” system, which means that users only see profiles that have been liked by someone they’ve already liked. 

• It’s more affordable. Hinge is one of the more affordable dating apps on the market. There is a free version of the app, but there are also premium features that can be unlocked for a monthly fee.

Cons

• It can be difficult to get started. Hinge requires users to answer many questions about themselves, which can be time-consuming. Additionally, the app’s slow-match system can make it difficult to find matches, especially if you are not in a large city.

• It can be superficial. Despite Hinge’s focus on relationships, the app can still be superficial. This is because users are still judged on their appearance, and the app’s prompts can be seen as a way to filter out potential matches based on superficial criteria.

• It’s not as popular as other dating apps. Hinge is not as popular as other dating apps like Tinder or Bumble. This means that there may be fewer potential matches in your area.

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8. Match

Match is a popular dating app used by people of all ages, including college students. It is a paid app, but it offers a free trial, so you can try it out before you commit.

Pros

• The large user base of college students: Match has a large user base, so you’re more likely to find someone interested in the same things as you. According to Match’s website, 35% of its users are between 18 and 24.

• Variety of search filters: Match allows you to filter your search by various criteria, including age, location, interests, and education level. This makes it easy to find people who are a good match for you.

• Robust messaging system: Match’s messaging system is easy to use and allows you to send messages, photos, and videos to your matches. This makes connecting with people and getting to know them easier.

Cons

• It can be expensive: Match is a paid app, so you must pay a monthly subscription. This can be a barrier for some college students on a tight budget.

• It can be overwhelming: Match has a large user base, so trying to find the right person can be overwhelming. This is especially true if you’re unsure what you want in a relationship.

• It can be addictive: Match can be addictive, so it’s important to use it in moderation. If you spend too much time on the app, it’s time to take a break.

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9. Happn

Happn is a dating app that uses your location to show people you’ve crossed paths with in real life. This makes it a great option for college students, who are often on the go and meeting new people all the time.

Pros

• You can meet people already in your area, making it easier to set up dates.

• You can see how often you’ve crossed paths with someone, giving you a sense of their interest in you.

• The app has various features that make it easy to connect with people, such as the ability to send “charms” and “winks.”

Cons

• The app can be a bit pricey, especially if you want to use all its features.

• The app can be addictive, and getting lost in swiping through profiles is easy.

• Some people find the app’s location-based feature to be a bit creepy.

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10. eharmony

eHarmony is a dating app designed to help people find long-term relationships. The app uses a compatibility quiz to match users with other users who share similar values and interests.

eHarmony can be a great option for college students seeking a serious relationship. 

Pros

• The app is designed to help people find long-term relationships.

• The app’s compatibility quiz can help you find people compatible with you on a deep level.

• The app has a large user base, so you’re likely to find people interested in the same things as you.

Cons

• The app can be a bit pricey, especially if you want to use all its features.

• The app’s compatibility quiz can be time-consuming to complete.

• The app’s focus on long-term relationships can make finding people just looking for a casual fling difficult.

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11. The League

The League is a dating app for college students and young professionals that aims to connect users with other high-achieving, ambitious individuals. The app operates with a selective admissions process, where users are required to submit an application and gain approval from the League’s team before they can begin using the app.

Pros

• High-quality matches: The League’s selective admissions process helps to ensure that only high-achieving, ambitious individuals are on the app.

• Educational and professional filters: Users can filter their matches by their educational institution, major, and professional interests.

• Mutual connections: Users can see if they have any mutual connections on LinkedIn, Facebook, or other social media platforms.

Cons

• Pricey: The League is a paid app, and the membership fees can be expensive.

• Limited availability: The League is only available in select cities.

• Strict admissions process: The League’s selective admissions process can be frustrating for some users.

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12. Plenty of Fish

Plenty of Fish (POF) is a popular dating app that is free to use. It has a large user base, including many college students. POF is a good option for college students who are looking for a variety of dating options.

Pros

• The app is free to use.

• The app has a large user base, including many college students.

• The app allows you to search for people based on various criteria, including location, interests, and values.

Cons

• The app can be overwhelming, with so many profiles to scroll through.

• The app can be full of spam and fake profiles.

• The app’s search function can be limited.

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13. Badoo

Badoo is a popular dating app available in over 190 countries with over 400 million users. The app is free to use, but there are certain premium features that can be unlocked with a subscription.

Badoo can be a great option for college students who are looking for a variety of dating options. 

Pros

• The app has a large user base, including many college students.

• The app offers a variety of features, such as messaging, live chat, and video chat.

• The app is free to use, with some premium features available.

Cons

• The app can be overwhelming, with so many profiles to scroll through.

• The app can be full of spam and fake profiles.

• The app’s search function can be limited.

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14. Coffee Meets Bagel

Coffee Meets Bagel (CMB) is a dating app to help people find meaningful relationships. The app uses a unique algorithm to match users with other users who share similar interests and values.

CMB can be a great option for college students seeking a serious relationship. 

Pros

• The app is designed to help people find meaningful relationships.

• The app’s algorithm matches users with other users who share similar interests and values.

• The app sends you a limited number of matches each day, which can help you focus on quality over quantity.

Cons

• The app can be a bit pricey, especially if you want to use all its features.

• The app’s algorithm can be slow to match you with people.

• The app’s user base is relatively small.

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15. Higher bond

Higher Bond is a dating app specifically designed for Christian college students. The app uses your college email address to verify your identity and match you with other students who attend the same school as you.

Pros

• The app is designed specifically for Christian college students.

• The app uses your college email address to verify your identity.

• The app has several security features to protect your privacy.

Cons

• The app is only available to Christian college students.

• The app’s user base is relatively small.

• The app’s features are somewhat limited. 

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Which of These Apps Are Free Dating Apps For College Students?

Some of these apps are free dating apps for college students. They include:

Tinder

Tinder is a free app that allows users to swipe left or right on potential matches.

Bumble

Bumble is another free dating app that is similar to Tinder. However, Bumble requires women to make the first move.

Hinge

Hinge is a free dating app that focuses on building relationships. 

Coffee Meets Bagel

Coffee Meets Bagel is a free dating app that sends users a limited number of daily matches. 

OkCupid

OkCupid is a free dating app that allows users to create detailed profiles.

Although these apps are free dating apps, they still have paid plans that come with additional features to enhance the pleasure of using them.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

These are just a few of the many dating apps that are available for college students. The best dating app for you depends on your needs and preferences. Do some research and try out a few different apps to see which one you like the best.

It is also important to remember that dating apps are just one way to meet people. There are many other ways to meet people, such as through clubs, organizations, and classes.

References

• savethestudent.org– 14 best free dating sites and apps
• bestcolleges.com– The 7 Best Dating Apps for College Students
• healthyframework.com– 5 Best Dating Apps for College Students (2023)

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