150+ Funny Debate Topics For College Students

Looking for lighthearted things to debate with your friends? Here are over 150 funny debate topics for college students.

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Whether you’re at Thanksgiving dinner or in a political science class, you’re bound to get in a debate sometime.

But it doesn’t have to be a heated, anxiety-inducing experience! Debates are a great way to blow off steam when you’re stressed over classes, papers, and exams.

Aside from being a fun activity, debates help you work on your critical thinking skills.

Even when you’re talking about silly topics, you have to use a relatively sound line of logic and reasoning to build your arguments.

Also, having lighthearted debates with friends and peers increases feelings of belonging, which actually helps you do better in classes.

What You’ll Need For These Debates

Before you start debating, you’ll need to….

Choose a Topic

With so many topics out there, how do you begin to choose one?

First, you have to figure out what audience you’re working with. For example, the way you joke around with organic chemistry classmates will be different than how you joke with roommates.

Once you’ve used your best judgment around what kind of humor to go for, then you can reference the lists below.

For people you don’t know as well, you might want to go with safer, surface-level options like “X vs Y” debates. For people you know a little better, “Philosophical” or “Absurd” debate topics might be funnier to work with.

Basically, just go with the vibe of the group you’re debating with. If you practice basic social awareness, the following categories of topics should work just fine.

Set Ground Rules

Before you get into the debates themselves, you need to lay some ground rules.

For example, you will need to make sure everyone is clear on the format of the debate.

Will each person get a certain amount of time to argue their side? Do they get to pick their argument, or will the group pick for them?

Will you be keeping score with a bracket system, pitting people against each other one at a time?

Besides the structure, you also need to lay ground rules about how you’ll be presenting arguments.

Some basic rules include saying nothing in bad taste, steering clear of microaggressions, and being respectful of everyone participating.

To have a funny debate, you’ll want to do your best to make sure everyone is comfortable and feels safe to participate. As a group, make explicit boundaries for what can and cannot be used in arguments.

Once the ground rules are set, it’s time to channel your inner lawyer!

Funny Debate Topics For College Students

Pop Culture Debate Topics

• Did Ross really cheat on Rachel if they were on a break?
• Taylor Swift should run for president.
• Star Wars is better than Star Trek.
• Team Edward or Team Jacob?
• Team Conrad or Team Jeremiah?
• TikTok is the funniest platform.
• Did Chris Rock deserve to be slapped?
• Hailey Bieber or Selena Gomez?
• Peeta or Gale?
• Strongest Avenger?
• Best Harry Potter house?
• Do you watch Barbie before or after Oppenheimer?
• All Disney Pixar movies are within the same universe.
• Was the meme dress blue or gold?
• Parks & Rec is better than The Office.
• How do you play True American from New Girl?
• Rose could’ve easily let Jack float with her in Titanic.
• TikTok is funnier than SNL skits.
• Who’s the best Spider-Man actor?
• What are the qualifications to be a successful social media influencer?
• Who’s the best DC or Marvel supervillain?
• Are all episodes of Black Mirror currently happening somewhere?
• Was One Direction just the Beatles reincarnated?

Open-Ended Debates

• Best season of the year?
• Best music genre?
• Best Disney Channel show?
• Best Disney princess?
• Best season of the year?
• Best land within Disneyland?
• Best country to travel to?
• Worst dating app?
• Biggest red flags in a romantic partner?
• Biggest ick in a romantic partner?
• Best move franchise?
• Best superpower?
• Worst day of the week?
• Best day of the week?
• Best anime show?
• Best music genre?
• Best job in the world?
• What does “success” look like?

Absurd Debate Topics For College

• Is water wet?
• Should glove shoes exist?
• Is using an umbrella embarrassing?
• Which zodiac sign is the most toxic?
• Did Helen Keller exist?
• Did the chicken come before the egg?
• Do fish see water like we see air?
• Do animals gossip about each other?
• Are squirrels plotting on ruling the world?
• Are crocs cool?
• Taylor Swift can write like Shakespeare, but Shakespeare can’t write like Taylor Swift.
• Which direction should you hang toilet paper?
• Are superheroes just vigilantes with better branding?
• Aliens have lived among us this entire time.
• How should gif be pronounced?
• Would you rather live underwater or in space?
• Everyone should speak at least three languages fluently.
• Birthdays should automatically be counted as a holiday from work.
• Is it better to be incredible tall or incredibly short?
• Audiobooks don’t count as reading.
• How realistic are reality TV shows?
• Should college athletes be paid for the money they bring in for the school?
• Are ghosts spooked by live people?
• Does air have a smell?
• Does everyone have an accent?
• Are pigeons secret government agents?
• Should you be able to name dogs human names?
• Actors are just adult theater kids.
• What’s worse for relationships: Uno or Monopoly?
• Can fish learn to do tricks?

Philosophical Debate Topics

• Life is a simulation.
• When you’re dreaming, you’re actually awake.
• Déjà vu happens because you’ve already lived this part of your life before.
• When you dream of someone it’s because they’re thinking of you.
• People who are colorblind are actually seeing colors correctly.
• To go to sleep you’re just pretending to be asleep.
• When you’re born you’re already almost a year old.
• You’re technically a year older than the age you tell people.
• Are we living The Matrix already?
• Is it better to be rich and unhappy or broke and happy?
• Robinhood is a thief, not a hero.
• Sarcasm is a socially acceptable way of being rude.
• Why are bad words bad?
• Should everyone always be completely honest?
• Smart phones are making us stupider.
• What would we actually do with an extra hour in the day?
• Would you rather be rich or famous?
• Is watching TV a waste of time?
• Should all social media users have to verify their identity?
• Are sharks over-villainized by media?

Food Debates

• Does pineapple belong on pizza?
• Is cereal a soup?
• Is a hot dog a sandwich?
• Is a taco a sandwich?
• Does the milk or cereal go first?
• Is ketchup technically a fruit smoothie?
• You should only eat mac and cheese with a spoon.
• Leftover pizza is better cold.
• All eggs should be served scrambled.
• Waffles are better than pancakes.
• Bottled water tastes better than tap water.
• Gatorade is the best sports drink.
• McDonald’s Sprite tastes better than bottled Sprite.
• Best pizza topping.
• Does ice cream belong in cake?
• Is pulled pork better than brisket?
• Are pizza rolls just mini hot pockets?
• Is chocolate milk better than hot chocolate?
• Junk food can be just as nutritional as healthy foods.
• What’s the best way to cut toast?
• Is every food technically genetically modified in some way?

College-Related Debates

• Hardest major?
• Easiest major?
• Is getting hit by a bus worth getting your tuition paid for?
• Pitch a new school mascot.
• Pitch a new location for your campus.
• Should you wear shower shoes in community showers?
• Can you eat roommates’ food without asking?
• Should Esports players be treated like football players?
• Should business be a STEM major?
• Are pre-meds the most stressed-out students?
• Are engineering majors better than everyone else?
• Are theater majors always acting?
• Libraries should always be open 24/7.
• Every campus should have nap pods.
• Tuition should be free for everyone.
• Is college a scam?
• No class should be held before 10:00 a.m.
• Is marching band a sport?
• Professors are just professional students.
• Every single sports game should be free for students.

X vs Y Debates

• Football vs basketball
• Starbucks vs Dunkin Donuts
• Whataburger vs In-N-Out
• Books vs movies
• Salt vs pepper
• Ketchup vs mustard
• Mountains vs rivers
• Hot vs cold
• Coca-Cola vs Pepsi
• Chocolate vs vanilla
• Dogs vs cats
• Xbox vs PlayStation
• Window vs aisle seat
• Early bird vs night owl
• Flip flops vs sandals
• Sweatshirts vs crewnecks
• Hamburgers vs hot dogs
• Tiny house vs RV
• Real Christmas tree vs fake Christmas tree
• Car vs airplane
• Laptop vs tablet
• iPhone vs Android
• Video games vs board games
• Dolphins vs whales

Final Thoughts

Remember, these topics are just a starting point. Once your debates get going, feel free to come up with your own topics or change up the ones on these lists. The point is that you’re having fun! 

In the process, you’ll also be practicing your critical thinking skills and strengthening relationships with your friends and peers. It’s a win-win-win.

So next time you have to debate in class, you’ll have a ton of practice under your belt.