College students U.S. self reported substance use by gender 2023 | Statista

Alcohol was the most common substance which had been used by both women and men who were college students in the United States in 2023. This statistic shows the percentage of college students in the U.S. who reported having ever used selected substances as of fall 2023, by gender.

Percentage of college students in the U.S. who reported having ever used selected substances as of fall 2023, by gender*

Characteristic	Men	Women	Trans/Gender Non-conforming	Total
Tobacco or nicotine delivery products	29%	27%	29%	27.4%
Alcoholic beverages	60%	66%	65%	63.7%
Cannabis	31%	34%	47%	33.4%
Cocaine	5%	4%	4%	4%
Prescription stimulants	6%	5%	6%	5.5%
Methamphetamine	1%	1%	1%	0.9%
Inhalants	4%	2%	5%	3.1%
Sedatives or sleeping pills	4%	3%	5%	3.7%
Hallucinogens	9%	6%	13%	7.5%
Heroin	1%	0%	15%	0.6%
Prescription opioids	3%	2%	3%	2.5%
Other	2%	1%	2%	1.3%

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Release date

March 2024

More information

Region

North America, United States

Survey time period

Fall 2023

Number of respondents

24,473 students

Age group

18 years and older

Special properties

38 schools

Supplementary notes

Original question: In your life, which of the following substances have you ever used? (Nonmedical use only)

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