20+ Thoughtful Gifts for College Students (That They Will Love!)

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Whether they’re about to go off to college or they’re already there, we bet you’re wondering what are the best college student gifts that the student in your life will love…

It can be difficult buying gifts for college students. If they live in a dorm then space is in short supply and they’re also at that ‘in-between’ age period of no longer being a teen but not yet exactly an adult out in the work force.

But don’t despair, because we have done all the research for you to find cool college student gifts, whether they be useful or just fun.

If you’re trying to find something to put in a care package, or maybe the perfect gift for their birthday or Christmas, these items are sure to get a 4.0 from your college student recipient!

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Best College Student Gifts Under $20

Hey, maybe you’re a broke college student too, but even if not, there are plenty of cool college student gifts to choose from that are very affordable. All of these cost less than $20 but are sure to be a hit.

Some Universit-Eeze Pills

Photo via Rx Grins on Etsy

Choose from a box or a bottle and then fill it up with candy for a funny gift your college student can eat whenever they feel stressed by college life!

A Cute Microwave Bowl Cozy

Photo via Joining Jill on Etsy

This cute cozy will ensure your college student doesn't burn their hands when eating something heated in the microwave during a late night study session.

A Magnetic Poetry College Kit
$14.95

Magnetic poetry kits are fun to use on the fridge, and this one for college students will be especially apt when living in shared housing, they can leave messages for their roomies!

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This Mini Hand and Wrist Foam Roller

Photo via Uncommon Goods

RSI is no joke and college students often end up typing in uncomfortable positions on their laptop. Get them this mini foam roller to keep their hands and wrists pain-free!

Some Funny Bath and Shower Soap Noodles

Photo via Uncommon Goods

College life = microwave ramen life, amiright?! Help your college student relax with these amusing bath and shower soaps in the shape (and packaging) of noodles!

This Handy Bedside Essentials Pocket

Photo via Uncommon Goods

When space is at a premium (like in a college dorm room) a pocket like this is perfect for storing bedside essentials where they can easily be reached. This is a great useful gift!

This Funny Study Mug
$15.26

Coffee (or tea) helps with studying, but your college student recipient will also enjoy the joke on this mug as we can all relate to procrastinating when we should be studying!

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A Useful and Amusing Laundry Bag

Photo via Mami Origami on Etsy

Having to do all your own laundry is one of the worst parts of college life, but this funny monogrammed laundry bag tells it like it is! It also makes a functional gift fun.

This College Student Nutrition Facts Tee

Photo via Modern Merch Outlet on Etsy

This comfy t-shirt will be perfect for wearing to lectures, while the college student nutrition facts are both amusing and right on the money!

College Student Gift Ideas Between $20-$50

Here are some more great college student gift ideas if you haven’t found the right one yet. These ones cost more than $20 but still less than $50, so you won’t need a finance degree to afford them!

A Jar Full of Motivational Messages

Photo via Little Jar Of Big Ideas on Etsy

Also called a Procrastination Cure Jar, this jar is filled with encouraging messages for your college student to read whenever they need a boost of motivation.

A College Campus Glass

Photo via Uncommon Goods

With more than 20 University campuses to choose from, your college student will be able to enjoy this campus pride glass both during and after their time at college.

This Ultimate Breakfast Sandwich Maker
$29.99

Perfect for the mornings when they've rolled out of bed and need to get to class fast, any college student will love this handy little machine to make a delicious breakfast sandwich!

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The Game of Phones

Photo via Uncommon Goods

This smart-phone scavenger hunt game is ideal for college students to enjoy when not in class, since it uses the one item that never leaves their hand!

A Personalized Starbucks College Team Cup

Photo via Santoseca Creative on Etsy

These reusable Starbucks cups can be personalized with any college school/team, colors and logo, so you can get the perfect design for your college student!

A Custom Shaped Pet Pillow

Photo via aurespaces on Etsy

If you know your college student is going to miss their family fur-baby while they're away, get them a custom pillow made of their pet to take to college with them!

A Handy Collegiate Pouch

Photo via Uncommon Goods

These can be used as a pencil case, makeup bag, etc, with 30 university designs to choose from so your student has one featuring the symbols of their school.

A Candle That Smells of Home

Photo via Uncommon Goods

Even if your college student isn't actually homesick, they're still sure to appreciate one of these candles to remind them of home. All 50 candle options have their own unique scent!

This Maya Angelou Poem Scarf

Photo via Uncommon Goods

Featuring the full text of Maya Angelou's "Still I Rise" poem, college students will love wearing this inspiring scarf no matter if they're a student of literature, history or politics.

College Student Gifts Between $50 – $100

If you’ve got the cash to go all out, spoil your college student with these gifts that cost between $50 and $100. They’re perfect if you’re angling for the best aunt/dad/sibling/friend ever title!

This Sweet Finals Week Care Package

Photo via Punny Packages on Etsy

There are other care packages available, but we particularly like this one filled with sweets, puns, useful items and an encouraging card for a student facing finals week!

A College Team Spirit Pillow

Photo via Uncommon Goods

If you know your college student is all about the football life, get them one of these cushions showing team spirit images from ten of the most well-known football colleges.

Presents for College Students Over $100

These incredible college student gift ideas cost more than $100, but are so useful and unique that we’re sure your college student recipient will be blown away to receive them!

A Custom Monogrammed Towel Set

Photo via Embroidery On The Go on Etsy

Going away to college means dorm rooms and shared bathrooms, so your college student will appreciate a set of towels with their name and college emblem on them!

This Incredible Air Pen Scanner
$149.00

Make note-taking a breeze for your recipient with this amazing magic pen that can scan text out of books onto their laptop, or read text to speech! It even translates over 40 languages.

11/24/2024 12:18 am GMT

Did We Miss Any of Your Favorite College Student Gift Ideas?

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