Abstract: Objective To investigate the prevalence and influencing factors of type 2 diabetes mellitus among college students in Guangdong Province， so as to provide theoretical basis for preventing this disease in college students. Method From July 2016 to December 2017， using a multistage stratified cluster random sampling method， the prevalence of type 2 diabetes among college students in Guangdong Province was investigated by conducting questionnaire survey， physical examination and laboratory testing. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to analyze the influencing factors. Results A total of 2 196 college students aged 18-23 years were investigated， including 1 208 males and 988 females. Of the participants， 83 students were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes， with a prevalence of 3.78% （83/2 196）. Multivariate logistic regression showed that family history of diabetes （OR＝3.982，95%CI：1.395-6.773），overweight and obesity （OR＝1.746， 95%CI：1.355-2.160）， centripetal obesity （OR＝2.881，95%CI：1.204-4.956）and dyslipidemia （OR＝1.987，95%CI：1.260-2.748） were risk factors for diabetes mellitus， but physical exercise （OR＝0.762，95%CI：0.554-0.983） was protective factor for diabetes mellitus. Conclusion The prevalence of type 2 diabetes was high among college students in Guangdong Province. Family history of diabetes， physical exercise， overweight and obesity， centripetal obesity and dyslipidemia were the factors influencing type 2 diabetes mellitus among the college students. Comprehensive measures should be taken to prevent diabetes.