New Insights into Students’ Perceptions: Introducing the Sodexo Student Lifestyle Survey Report

One of the things I love most about working in higher education is the chance to visit campuses and meet with students. American college students are a unique group—constantly changing, full of fresh perspectives, and always bringing new ideas to the table. Just when you think you’ve got a pulse on what students are thinking, a new academic year starts—and a whole new cohort arrives with different expectations, interests and preferences.

At the beginning of my career, I couldn’t have imagined that students would someday flock to TikTok to jump on the latest dance trend—or that the demand for vegan protein options would have us overhauling salad bar offerings. These student-driven trends keep life interesting for everyone who works in higher education. Staying ahead of these trends is imperative to the success of every campus, especially as higher education grapples with ongoing challenges regarding enrollment, retention and perceptions of the value and purpose of attending college.

At Sodexo Campus, our mission is to understand these shifting dynamics, something we do through intensive data collection and analysis. One of the most insightful research tools we use is the Sodexo Student Lifestyle Survey, a foundational study that offers a unique look into the minds of today’s students. Since 2004, this survey has been an invaluable resource for tracking trends and understanding students’ changing needs through firsthand data and insights that help us anticipate and prepare for evolving expectations about the campus experience. In 2024, we also surveyed parents for the first time to better understand what drives decision-making and student success at every point along the academic journey.

Improvement to Students’ Well-Being and Satisfaction

Two years ago, the challenges on campuses across the country felt overwhelming, and student engagement was at a low point. But I’m thrilled to say that the many concerted efforts colleges and universities have made to address students’ needs have led to significant improvements in their sense of belonging, connection and overall well-being:

• 70% of students now feel they are part of a connected community on campus.
• Two-thirds of students report moderate to heavy engagement in campus life.
• Fewer students report feeling overwhelmed and anxious at college.
• Food remains the number one driver of campus engagement.

The improvements revealed by the 2024-2025 Sodexo Student Lifestyle Survey are more than just numbers. They illustrate a meaningful difference in students’ lives, showing that overall, they are happier and healthier than they were just a few years ago. These improvements reflect the monumental efforts of faculty, staff, and campus partners to build a sense of community on campus and help students feel like they belong.

I’m proud to have worked with so many campuses on this crucial undertaking, and I’m thrilled that we can all celebrate the progress we’ve made together. But I also know that there’s more we can do, using research and data as our roadmap.

Looking Ahead: Building on Success

These survey results equip everyone in higher education with the insights needed to continue to innovate and provide for this generation of students. We are passionate about helping students thrive by creating a college environment where they feel they belong—curating campus experiences that foster engagement among peers, support a healthy lifestyle and prepare students for their lives beyond college.

The data is clear: the initiatives we put in place to encourage social connections and focus on student well-being are working, and keeping abreast of students’ changing needs is essential for colleges to continue to achieve their mission of educating and empowering students.

Ultimately, everything we do—every piece of research, every meal we serve, every offer we develop—is driven by a singular goal: to help students succeed. The 2024-25 Student Lifestyle Survey gives us the insights we need to keep pushing forward, ensuring we continue to meet the evolving needs of today’s students and support them on their path to success.

Download the 2024-25 Sodexo Student Lifestyle Survey to learn more about how we’re staying ahead of trends and helping campuses build stronger, more connected communities.