It’s no news that online dating is making the waves in colleges right now. In fact, it’s been that way for years, and there’s no sign of this trend slowing down anytime soon. The courage that can’t be mustered in public somehow finds its way into several platforms behind the screen.
To get the best out of college dating, we’ve gathered the seven best dating apps for college students that are perfect for connecting to your subsequent big romantic encounter.
Bumble
Starting the list of best dating apps for college students is one that ranks in the top 2 for most downloaded dating apps in the US. It’s one of, if not the go-to app for college students looking to enter relationships through online dating. There are significant features that make it so popular, but here are two that stand out:
Firstly, the app depends on the women for progress. Only women can initiate conversations on the platform;
Secondly, matches are known to be wiped off if there’s no conversation within 24 hours. This is more controversial than the first. Bumble offers a free subscription with a few paid plans, or you can opt for the Bumble Student option.
OKCupid
With the famous “Cupid” in its name, it’s no surprise that this app aims to match the two most compatible individuals. This compatibility is measured using the traits of both individuals before arriving at a decision.
Therefore, after an account has been set up, there are questions you need to answer honestly, including those about your personality. Once that’s done, the app’s algorithm scours the platform for folks with the closest traits and will make a good partner for you.
So, if you want something deeper and more meaningful, this app is right for you as it aims to drive folks into serious relationships. It offers free and paid features depending on your needs.
Hinge
The hardest part of dating is starting a conversation, at least in person. But behind the mobile screens, college students pack more guts than you think. For instance, when people post on their feeds, they receive tons of likes and comments from people who usually never walk up to those people in public.
Hinge plans to change that by offering to comment under people’s posts. This is a great conversation starter, and replies are allowed, leading to the progress of such conversations. Hinge focuses on making unique conversations work and ensuring they foster something meaningful, making it one of the best dating apps for college students.
Hinge is fast becoming a campus favorite because it helps conversations flow. It’s free to use, and you can improve your features using the paid subscription.
Tinder
There’s no one who hasn’t heard of the platform called Tinder. You could even say this is where the swiping to match originated. It’s the most popular app on this list and one of the best dating apps for college students.
The concept is pretty simple. Once you create an account, you begin swiping left or right on profiles. The essence of swiping is to indicate people you find a close match to what you’re looking for. So, it’s left to reject and correct to accept.
Swiping ends when two people swipe right on each other, and when that happens, it’s time to start the conversation. Anyone can start the conversation and see what happens from there. Tinder is free to use, and you also have the option to switch to premium services. Those services include hiding ads and an “undo” button.
For the queer folks, there’s also a dating app that has been brewed to serve your dating needs. HER is designed to create a connection between all folks from different ends of the campus. It’s a safe space for non-conforming students to try out the dating experience and discover what lies ahead in the romantic chapters of their lives.
It’s a mainstream platform strictly for queer folks, so it doesn’t allow cisgender profiles. On the app, you can toggle features such as liking, sharing, and messaging other profiles for free.
Yup, the app is free to use, but you can go premium at the cost of $15 a month. Ultimately, HER is a place for connection, friendship, and substantial relationships.
Raya
For those who love to keep things exclusive, Raya is the gateway for the more popular students to find the right one. Raya is known for its popularity amongst celebrities and people with connections to fame. Even those with sizable social media following have tested the app.
What it does is that it grants users access through an application or simply from someone who already uses the platform. Guess you know why people with links to famous or elite groups often use this app.
But despite its affinity to the more famous individuals, Raya focuses on protecting the privacy of its users. Even taking a screenshot of a person’s profile is enough to get you kicked out. When you get accepted into the platform, the services become available for $9.99 monthly.
This app is designed to save those shy students who have trouble walking up to strangers. Perhaps you’re walking to a lecture, and you come across a stunning individual. However, your courage fails you, and you watch such a person walk by. That’s probably the end of whatever could have happened, right?
Fortunately, you’re mistaken. Thanks to Happn, students can now be paired up with people they’ve been in the exact geographical location with. What that means is that even people you’ve seen walk by can pop up on your feed.
Moreover, if both parties like each other, a conversation is enabled, making it even easier to kick off the dating process. The only drawback is that Happn’s database is smaller than most dating sites. However, it’s still one of the best dating apps for college students, and it’s free to use, but you can pay for upgraded features.
Best Dating Apps for College Students: Conclusion
Dating is never easy, regardless of where it starts from. But thanks to good dating apps, some of which you can find among the most popular and best apps for college students, and students who are ready to take the bold step, finding a match shouldn’t take long.
