University Coffee: College Students Put Experience First

Hot. Black. Maybe a little sugar.

That might have been the traditional idea of coffee, but college students are doing things a little differently.

Today's coffee might be iced with cold foam, flavored or topped with something unexpected, or customized from the roast all the way down to the creamer. And it's not just showing up at 9 a.m. anymore. Coffee is making appearances between classes, during study sessions, on afternoon breaks, and sometimes in place of an actual meal.

For college students, coffee is less of a routine and more of an experience.

So, what does that mean for university coffee programs in 2026?

Key Takeaways for University Coffee Programs & College Students in 2026

College students don't want one way to drink coffee. They want options, and plenty of them.

• Make it "made-for-me": Offer multiple roasts, creamers, and add-ins, including non-dairy options, college students can make their coffee exactly how they want it.
• Think beyond breakfast: Iced and specialty coffee shouldn't disappear after the morning rush. Students are drinking coffee throughout the day, and their choices can change with their schedules, moods, and cravings.

University Coffee Flavor Has Layers

When it comes to coffee, students are thinking beyond the basics.

Sure, creamer is a big part of the equation. About 70% of consumers in general add creamer to their coffee, but Gen Z takes it even further, with 85% using coffee creamer.¹

But students aren't just asking, "What creamer do you have?"

They're thinking about the coffee itself, too. Gen Z leads consumer interest in globally inspired flavors,² which means there may be more curiosity about what's in the cup before the creamer ever hits it.

And then there's texture.

Cold foam. Toppings. Garnishes. Textured Beverages.

Gen Z shows greater interest in all of them than the general population.³ Because just drinking your coffee isn't always enough. Sometimes, you need something on top.

There is no one-size-fits-all coffee or creamer for college students. The more ways they can make it their own, the better. Think multiple roast options, a range of creamers and flavors, and toppings that can add something extra. Students aren't just choosing a coffee. They're building their coffee.

University Coffee Isn't Only a Morning Drink for College Students

Coffee is also breaking up with its morning-only reputation.

Student coffee consumption, especially iced coffee, is less tied to breakfast and early-morning boosts than ever. Ice coffee is growing, while purchasing is slightly down in the morning.⁴

That makes sense when you consider how differently younger consumers approach food and beverages. More than half of Gen Z will choose differently between healthy and indulgent options depending on whether they're having a good or bad day. Compare that with less than one-third of Boomers!⁵

Had a good day? Maybe go for something lighter.

Rough day? Bring on the cold foam

And in some cases, coffee is doing even more heavy lifting. Forty percent of consumers replace meals with specialty coffee beverages.⁶

For college students, coffee isn't just something to grab before an 8 a.m. class. It's an all-day choice tied to mood, schedule, and occasion. As iced coffee expands beyond breakfast, students move between indulgent and better-for-you options depending on what they want in the moment. Make sure your coffee program can keep up.

University Coffee Programs Win When College Students Can Choose

So, what does all this mean for college and university operators?

Give students options.

Lots of them.

Today's college students don't necessarily take their coffee black and call it a day. They build it their way. The roast matters. The creamer matters. The flavor matters. The foam might make it a little more than anyone expected.

And timing matters, too.

A coffee choice at 8 a.m. might look completely different from one at 2 p.m. or during a late-night study session. Students want options that fit their schedules, their moods, and whatever kind of day they're having.

The opportunity for university coffee programs is to create an experience that feels flexible, personal, and easy to customize. Stock multiple coffee profiles. Offer a broad lineup of creamers and add-ins. Make menus easy to navigate. And keep the options available beyond the morning rush.

Because when students can make it their own, they're more likely to come back for another cup.

Ready to Level Up Your University Coffee Program?

Check out the Nestlé Professional Solutions coffee and creamers that give college students more ways to make every cup their own, from adventurous flavors to indulgent favorites.

1. https://www.fastcompany.com/91303864/gen-z-is-changing-the-way-america-drinks-coffee ↩︎
2. Datassential Elevate Huddle. Beverage Bonanza (Dec 2025) ↩︎
3. Beverage Bonanza ↩︎
4. Datassential. BUZZ Q3 2025 Quarterly Update (2025) ↩︎
5. Beverage Bonanza ↩︎
6. Beverage Bonanza ↩︎