Are you looking for young adult books featuring characters who’ve graduated from high school and have moved on to freshman orientation, sorority rush and sketchy roommates? Check out my list of YA books Set in College!

Best YA Books Set In College!

High school is great (and the source of a lot of YA angst) but college means new challenges, new experiences, and new freedom. No parents, plenty of parties.

YA Set in College That’s Focused on Romance

Rent a Boyfriend by Gloria Chao (2020) I LOVE a good fauxmance and this one is about a girl who rents a boyfriend to please her strict parents.

9 Days and 9 Nights by Katie Cotugno (2018) – this one isn’t set in college, but it’s about a college student forced to spend 9 days and 9 nights with an ex she has feelings for.

YA Set in College That’s Focused on Self-Discovery

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell (2013) a girl and her twin attend the same college.

Finding Felicity by Stacey Kade (2018) if you loved the show, try the book!

We Are Okay by Nina LaCour (2017) thousands of miles from home, Marin faces winter break alone.

Emergency Contact by Mary H.K. Choi (2018) – a girl heads to college to fulfill her dream of becoming a writer and starts a texting relationship with a guy.

American Panda by Gloria Choi (2018) – an overachieving Taiwanese American student struggles to find herself.

Freshmen by Tom Ellen and Lucy Ivison (2017) Two British (!) freshman navigate their first few weeks.

Say What You Will by Cammie McGovern (2014) a girl with a disability navigates life and love as a college freshman.

I Hate Everyone But You by Gaby Dunn and Allison Raskin (2017) – texts and emails sent by two best friends attending college on opposite sides of the country.

We Are Still Tornadoes by Michael Kun and Susan Mullen (2016) – Scott and Cath are best friends. She goes to college, he tries to make his rock star dreams work. And they write letters to one another.

YA About College Students Traveling or Studying Abroad

Again But Better by Christine Riccio (2019) – Shane decides to sign up for a semester abroad in London.

The Boy on the Bridge by Natalie Standiford (2013) – a girl studies in Russia during the Cold War and falls for a boy.

YA Books In College Featuring Greek Life or Secret Societies

Rush by Sarah Bennett Wealer (2016) a group of girls dream of joining their school’s most powerful sorority.

The Ravens by Danielle Page and Kass Morgan (2020) a paranormal book about a sorority of witches at a Southern college

Secret Society Girl series by Diana Peterfreund (2007) a girl is tapped to join the most exclusive secret society on campus.

Rush by Lisa Patton (2019) a coming of age story set in the sorority scene at Ole Miss

Frat Girl by Kiley Roache – to win a scholarship, a girl decides to pledge a frat and expose their bad behavior

Any more suggestions for my list? Tweet me! Also, check out my list of YA Books Set In Boarding School and my list of YA Books That Take Place the Summer Before College!