Tinder has rolled out a series of updates to its Tinder U feature, focusing on enhancing the dating experience for college students aged 18 to 24. These updates include new profile badges that highlight graduation year, major, clubs, and Greek life, aiming to foster connections based on shared campus interests. The app has also streamlined the sign-up process, allowing students to register for Tinder U directly, and introduced an exclusive Tinder U app icon for iOS users.
To attract more paid subscribers, Tinder is offering a 50% discount on premium subscriptions—Plus, Gold, or Platinum—to U.S. college students. This initiative follows the loss of 400,000 paid users in the last quarter. Additionally, Tinder is bringing back its popular “Swipe Off” challenge, where the college or university with the highest swipe activity wins a free concert featuring rappers Gunna and GloRilla.
These new Tinder U badges replace traditional profile details like job titles, bios, and hometowns, with the goal of encouraging conversations about on-campus activities. Stephanie Danzi, Tinder’s Senior Vice President of Global Marketing, noted, “This update is perfect for new users preparing for their first week of college. It helps ease the nerves of starting at a new school, especially for those who are unfamiliar with their new environment.”
Tinder has also introduced a customization option for iOS users, allowing them to select a special Tinder U app icon, further emphasizing the app’s dedication to the college demographic. However, the updates come at a time when Tinder is facing challenges in maintaining its appeal among college students. A survey by Axios and Generation Lab revealed that 79% of college students either don’t use dating apps or use them less than once a month, with only 12% using Tinder monthly.
As dating behaviors shift, many young people are exploring unconventional methods, such as using LinkedIn for connections or creating resume-style dating profiles on Google Docs. In-person dating is also seeing a resurgence, with new “IRL” dating apps like Blush, Buffet, Thursday, Whim, and Meet Cute gaining popularity.
Despite these changes, Tinder U remains strong, with the company reporting nearly 90% year-over-year growth in student enrollment. Tinder also claims to be the most downloaded app among 18-year-olds, particularly during freshman orientation.
Tinder U, known as Tinder Uni in the U.K., launched in 2018 and is available to students at accredited, non-profit four-year colleges and universities. Students must register with a valid student email address—.edu in the U.S. and .ac.uk in the U.K.—to join.