Significance. Heaviest alcohol consumption in the U. S. occurs between ages 18 and 21 (Chen & Kandel, 1995), presenting challenges to university administrators. Alcohol is implicated in more than 40% of academic problems, and 28% of dropouts during college (NCASA, 1994). This research purpose was to examine whether symptoms of alcohol dependence diminishes quality of life among a cross-sectional sample of students attending a Big Ten University in 2002. It was hypothesized that those with greater dependence on alcohol were more likely to report lower quality of life than those with nondependence. Design. The sample included 1,917 undergraduates who completed the Short Michigan Alcohol Screening Test (SMAST; Selzer, Vinokur, & Van Rooijan, 1975), and the Health-related Quality of Life (HRQL) (Romeis et al., 1999) measures. 634 undergraduates volunteered. Reliability was a = .58 (n = 488) for SMAST and was a = .76 (n = 618) for HRQL. Results. Slightly more respondents were women (52.01%) than men (47.99%). Most (84.63%) respondents were Caucasian. SMAST scores of 3 or higher indicated alcohol abuse/dependence. This sample was highly alcohol dependent (X = 3.49, n = 499, SD = 1.76). Men (78.5%) were significantly (p < .05) more likely to report alcohol dependence than women (71.3%) (c² = 3.30, df = 1, n = 475). HRQL scale scores ranged from 0-35, with higher scores representing better functioning. Average HRQL total scores were high (X = 26.13, n = 618, SD = 4.60, Range = 10 - 35). The HRQL mental health scores were moderately high (X = 10.31, SD = 2.86, Range = 1 - 16); while HRQL physical health functioning scores were moderately high (X = 11.61, SD = 1.79, Range = 4  - 14). Analysis of variance showed those with fewer symptoms of alcohol dependence were significantly (p < .05) more likely to report higher total HRQL scores than those reporting greater symptoms of alcohol dependence (MSQ = 2.90, df = 9, F = 2.72). Respondents with higher alcohol dependence scores were significantly (p < .01) more likely to report lower mental health functioning (MSQ = 2.67, df = 14, F = 2.34). Those with higher alcohol dependence scores were significantly (p < .01) more likely to report lower physical functioning than those with lower alcohol dependence scores (MSQ = 2.90, df = 9, F = 2.75). Results suggest alcohol abuse and dependence can alter negatively perceived HRQL. Implications will be discussed.