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Stress in college students has become a significant mental health issue in higher education settings globally. WHO reported that around 35% of university students worldwide experienced high levels of stress in 2021. In Indonesia, 44.8% of college students experience moderate to severe stress during their college years (Ministry of Health, 2023). In Makassar alone, it was found that 37.5% of students experienced severe stress levels (Nurudin et al., 2023). This study aims to identify factors associated with student stress levels at Islamic-based universities in Makassar. This study used a quantitative method with a cross-sectional approach. Data collection was conducted using the PSS-10 questionnaire to measure stress levels, as well as additional questionnaires to measure other variables. The study population was students of Islamic-based universities in Makassar, with samples taken using cluster sampling technique. Data analysis used chi-square test with a significance level of α=0.05. The results of the study showed that there was no relationship between educational background and stress levels in students (p>0.05), there was a relationship between diet and stress levels in students (p<0.05), and there was a relationship between sleep patterns and stress levels in students (p<0.05). This study concludes that educational background, dietary habit, and sleep patterns are factors that play a role in student stress levels at Islamic-based universities in Makassar. These findings can be the basis for the development of stress prevention intervention programs in university students.