The impact of COVID-19 on academic performance among college-level students

J Am Coll Health. 2025 Jan;73(1):77-83. doi: 10.1080/07448481.2022.2155052. Epub 2023 Jan 3.

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study is to assess the impact of COVID-19 on university students' academic performance. Participants: Our sample consisted of students 18 years old and above enrolled at least part-time during the Spring 2020 semester. Methods: This cross-sectional survey examined the individual, social, and economic impacts of COVID-19 on academic performance. We examined factors associated with a change in GPA between the two semesters. Results: Most students reported no change in GPA. Students of color had significantly increased odds of reporting a decrease in GPA than non-Hispanic White students (OR = 2.70, 95% CI: 1.01, 7.16). Students who had someone close to them test positive for COVID-19 had increased odds of reporting a decrease in GPA (OR = 1.85, 95% CI: 0.55, 5.93). Conclusion: Higher learning institutions may need to develop strategies to improve support for students that have been socio-economically impacted by COVID-19.

Keywords: Academic performance; COVID-19; GPA; students.

MeSH terms

  • Academic Performance* / statistics & numerical data
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • COVID-19* / epidemiology
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Students* / statistics & numerical data
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Universities / statistics & numerical data
  • Young Adult