College life is often considered a transformative period, a time for academic growth and personal exploration. But what role does sexuality play in this pivotal stage? Bedbible Research Center delves into this intricate subject with a comprehensive statistical analysis that covers everything from birth control methods to the prevalence of non-consensual sexual activity on college campuses. This article presents key takeaways such as the most sexually active campuses, the average number of sexual partners students have, and the percentage of students who report experiencing sexual violence.
So why should you trust this piece? Bedbible Research Center is a reputable source that employs rigorous methodologies to gather and analyze data. Their findings offer a nuanced understanding of the sexual behaviors and concerns of college students, providing valuable insights for students, educators, and policymakers alike. Intrigued? Read on to discover the sexual landscape of college life in the U.S., backed by reliable statistics.
If you have any questions about the statistics or want the updated dataset used for these findings feel free to reach out to email: researchcenter@bedbible.com
➔ Key Takeaways
- Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the most sexually active campus
- The most used birth control methods are: Birth Control Pills (49.8%) and Male condoms (45.7%)
- 40.9% of the women who obtained an adoption have a College / Associate Degree
- The top concern for a college student is; Relationship problems
- 13.7% of females in college experience non-consensual sexual activity
- 41% of women and 49% of men reported not being sexually active in college at all
- 70 percent of women and 80 percent of men reported being in love
- Only 20% of female students who experience sexual violence, age 18-24, report to law enforcement.
- 4.9 persons is the average number of sexual partners you’ll have throughout college
- 38% of college students always use condoms
Table of contents
U.S. College Students that Used Selected Methods of Birth Control
The top 5 birth control methods used by college students in the U.S. include:
- Birth control pills (49.8%)
- Male condoms (45.7%)
- Withdrawal (24.7%)
- Intrauterine device or IUD (15.3%)
Women in the U.S. Who Obtained an Abortion (by Educational Level)
- Some College / Associate Degree (40.9%)
- High School Graduate/GED (27%)
- College Graduate (23.1%)
- Less than High School (8.9%)
Top Concerns of College Student Patients
Sex-related issues that were concerns of college students in the U.S. include:
- Sexual abuse/assault (1.7%)
- Physical abuse/assault (0.2%)
- Sexual concern (0.2%)
- Sexual orientation (0.2%)
- Pregnancy-related (0.1%)
The most frequent concerns of college students are:
- Anxiety (24%)
- Depression (18%)
- Relationship problems (7.2%)
Share of Students Experiencing NonConsensual Sexual Contact Since Enrolling at University in the U.S.
From the data, it’s evident that nonconsensual sexual contact is a significant concern across all gender identities. Female students and those identifying as TGQN report higher percentages of both penetration and sexual touching without consent compared to male students. It’s crucial for institutions to be aware of these statistics and work towards creating a safer environment for all students.
| Gender/Identity | Penetration | Sexual Touching |
|---|---|---|
| Male | 3% | 5.4% |
| Female | 13.7% | 20.5% |
| (TGQN) Transgender, genderqueer, nonbinary, or otherwise gender nonconforming | 16.7% | 21.7% |
Disparities in Nonconsensual Sexual Experiences Across College Year Groups and Gender Identities
- There is a 5.6% difference between female seniors and female junior students who experienced nonconsensual sex in 2019
- 16.5% of female freshmen and 22.7% of female sophomore students
- Seniors had the highest percentage of experiencing nonconsensual sex contact (28.9%) among TGQN college students
- Junior students were 5.6% higher than sophomore students among TGQN students who experienced non-consensual sex
- 8.9% of male senior students experienced nonconsensual sex contact
- 3.8% of male freshmen students had nonconsensual sex experience in college
College Sex Habits
In 2015, a study conducted on 700 college students
- 41% of women and 49% of men reported not being sexually active at all
- 70 percent of women and 80 percent of men reported being in love
- 17 percent of women and 27 percent of men said they use dating apps
- 12 percent of women said they had been raped compared to 4 percent of men
In 2017, another study revealed the following:
- 59% of college students are “mostly” or “always” using a “barrier method” during vaginal sex
- 44.9% are “mostly” or “always” using a “barrier method” for anal sex
- 10% are “mostly” or “always” using a “barrier method for oral sex
College Campus Sexual Violence
- Male college students (aged 18-24) are 78% more likely than non-students of the same age to be a victim of rape or sexual assaults
- Female college students (aged 18-24) are 20% less likely than non-students of the same age to be a victim of rape or sexual assaults
- Only 20% of female students who experience sexual violence, age 18-24, report to law enforcement.
- Only 32% of non-student females, aged 18-24, report to law enforcement.
Most Sexually Active College Student Bodies in the U.S.
- Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the most sexually active campus
- Rutgers University, in New Jersey, ranked as the second most sexually active group of students
- Other schools that made it into the top 5 include Florida State University, the University of Central Florida, and the University of Florida
Sexual Partners Respondents Had While in College (by Gender)
Respondents: (Women=43%; Men 35%)
- Male respondents mentioned that they had an average of 14.22 sexual partners in overall sex life and 4.98 partners in college.
- Female respondents stated that they had an average of 11.41 sexual partners in overall sex life and 4.90 sexual partners in college.
How Often Do College Students Wear Protection
Number of Respondents Who Use Condoms
- Always (38%)
- Usually (24%)
- Never (15%)
- Sometimes (14%)
- Other (4%)
- Only When Their Partners Ask (4%)
- Only When It’s Available (1%)
Number of Respondents who Use Condoms (by Gender)
College students can be more exposed to sexual activities as they meet new partners and colleagues. This is why it is important to learn various statistics related to having safer and more enjoyable sexual activities while learning.
- 50% of men and 50% of women respondents revealed that they always use condoms
- 61% of women respondents and 39% of male respondents usually use condoms
- 65% of male respondents and 35% of women respondents stated that they use a condom only when it’s available
- 53% of male respondents and 47% of female respondents never use condoms
