Vintage Photos

20 Vintage Photos of College Life in the Seventies

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Left: A man in a car holds a sign that says "WANNA PARTY?" with another person beside him. Right: A group of people on a balcony dump liquid onto a crowd of costumed people gathered below.

College life in the seventies had an atmosphere all of its own. Campuses were filled with bell-bottoms, record players, political conversations, and a sense of freedom that reflected the spirit of the decade. It was a time before laptops, social media, and smartphones, when students gathered in crowded lecture halls and campus hangouts to study, socialize, and experience college in a much more personal way.

These photos of college life in the seventies capture the energy and character of that era. From everyday moments between friends to scenes of campus culture, the images offer a nostalgic and personal glimpse into a generation coming of age during a period of major social and cultural change. Together, they show what college looked and felt like before the digital world transformed our world. Let’s take a look at 20 vintage photos of college life in the seventies.

1. Students at Marymount College, 1971

Four young women sit side by side on a low brick wall outdoors, smiling at the camera. They wear short-sleeved dresses or tops and skirts, and have long hair. A building and sign reading “Auditorium” are in the background.
quick_presentation11

These women were the sophomore class officers for the class of ’71.

2. Fraternity shenanigans, early ’70s

A group of people pose on the steps of a building while two others on a balcony above pour a large bucket of water down toward them. The mood is playful, and everyone appears to be having fun.
thelefthandedcatcher

Whatever is being dumped on them, I don’t think it’s water.

3. College dudes, 1972

A group of young adults standing outdoors, talking and holding cups. One man in the center wears sunglasses and a green sweater, gesturing with his hand. Others are dressed casually, with the sky visible in the background.
almodozo

That’s the most subtle “Rock on” I’ve ever seen.

4. College computer class, 1972

Five people gather around a woman seated at a vintage computer terminal, with a chalkboard filled with writing in the background. The group appears focused and engaged with the printout she is holding.
lilac2481

In the seventies it was common for the actual computer to be located in a different area, and to use a terminal that was connected through a phone line.

5. The Providence College Basketball yearbook, 1972

Two Providence College basketball players in uniform, holding basketballs, stand in front of a white domed building. Text reads: "Providence College 1972-73 Basketball Yearbook $1.00.
skypetutor

Wouldn’t it be nice if college yearbooks still cost a dollar?

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6. “My dad in college, 1971.”

A man with long dark hair and a mustache sits on a houndstooth-patterned couch, wearing a button-up shirt, jeans, and boots. He is smiling and holding something small in his hands.
imurhuckleberry

The fu man chu, the leather boots, this man exuded seventies swagger.

7. College girls, 1973

Three young women in 1970s-style short dresses walk outdoors carrying books and folders, with trees and greenery in the background. Another person is seen in the distance.
totezhi64

8. Studying for finals as a team

Four young adults sit on a couch in a cozy room with bookshelves and a tapestry. Three men and one woman, who is smiling and wearing white overalls, are gathered around an open book. Green plants are visible in the foreground.
chardizzle21

These kids were from Saint Lawrence University in the late ’70s.

9. “My dad and his college roommate, 1977.”

Two people sit closely on a green couch in a cozy room with hanging plants, shelves filled with books and decor, and a large wall photo of boats. The atmosphere feels warm and vintage.
kactusevergreen

Evidently, his roommate was very into plants.

10. Arnold at night school in California, 1973

A muscular young man sits at a school desk, reading from an open folder while holding a pencil. Other students sit nearby, and a woman stands behind him. The classroom has large windows letting in natural light.
mycatneedshelp207

I feel bad for the person who sat behind him; there is no way they ever saw the chalkboard.

11. College Field Day, 1973

A man with long hair and a beard sits on the ground outdoors in swim trunks, gesturing with his hand and smiling. Several people are sitting and talking in the background on what appears to be a sunny day.
glassfamilytherapist

College field days were easily the best way to make new friends.

12. College outdoor program, 1973

A group of ten people in winter clothing pose with ski equipment in front of a vehicle on a snowy landscape; some are standing, one is sitting, and all appear to be enjoying themselves.
mleaurora

There was a major where you took classes and went outside all day? I picked the wrong major.

13. Weird Al performing at an open-mic

A young person wearing glasses, a striped shirt, and a hat sits on a chair playing an accordion in front of two microphones on a stage with a wooden backdrop.
bdwg4eva

This photo was taken at Cal Poly in 1977.

14. College photo from 1972

A black-and-white photo of a group of young adults, both men and women, standing together on steps, posing for a group picture. Most are wearing 1970s-style clothing with long hair and glasses.
sicktwig

15. Junior year of college, 1978

A black and white photo of seven young men standing close together, smiling or looking at the camera. They have casual, long hairstyles and wear collared shirts and T-shirts, possibly from the 1970s.
lc_from_thehills

These boys are headed to their favorite bar to see The Crusaders.

16. Steve Carell performing improv, late ’70s

Two young men stand closely together indoors. One covers his ears and looks down while the other, wearing a "PRIMO" t-shirt, gestures toward him, appearing to speak emphatically. Several people are seated in the dark background.
str33twise84

This photo was taken at Denison University.

17. John Prine, Georgia State, 1975

A person with curly hair sits on a wooden chair in an empty room, playing an acoustic guitar. There is a radiator and a window with sheer curtains to the left, and the floor is bare wood.
oncobomber

RIP to this legend.

18. Muhammad Ali visiting a college to speak

A smiling young woman is hugged by a man in a suit, with others, including a police officer, nearby in a hallway outside a television studio. The scene appears candid and lively.
cocrates

It looks like that girl’s heart is about to pop out of her chest.

19. Southern California students cruising, 1979

Two young men sit in a car at night. The man in front is holding a sign that reads "WANNA PARTY?" and smiling at the camera, while the other man is partially visible behind him.
bram_stokers_acura

The only way to recruit for parties in the ’70s was word of mouth, and this.

20. George “The Iceman” Gervin

A basketball player wearing an "Eastern Michigan" jersey, number 24, leaps towards the hoop for a layup or dunk during a game in a gymnasium, with defenders and spectators in the background.
joejabara

This photo was taken while he was at Eastern Michigan in 1971.

Want to see more content from the ’70s?

Check out 40 Vintage Photos of the Mid-1970s, or take a look at 21 Vintage Photos of 1960s-1970s Surf Culture. Finally, if you want to check out the ’70s disco era, take a look at 20 Vintage Photos of the 1970s Disco Era.

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Meet the Writer


Patrick Nichols

Patrick is a writer based in upstate New York, where he grew up and still calls home. Over the past year, he’s been diving deep into storytelling, especially tales rooted in history, the Wild West, lost treasures, and ancient artifacts. He’s also drawn to unsolved mysteries and whatever the internet can’t stop talking about.

Whether it’s a centuries-old legend or a bizarre internet rabbit hole, Patrick is always chasing the threads of a compelling story. When he’s not chasing stories, Pat’s probably hiking mountain trails with his dog, exploring new corners of the U.S., or doom-scrolling between hangouts with friends and family. He finds inspiration in nature, forgotten places, and random conversations—anything that sparks curiosity. Whether it’s city streets or backcountry paths, Patrick’s always on the lookout for the next great story.



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