The present study investigated the impact of modernity and subjective well-being among college students, examining differences based on gender and place of living (rural/urban). Utilizing the Individual Modernity Scale and Subjective Well-Being Inventory on a sample of 100 college students from Srinagar district, the findings revealed significant gender differences. Females exhibited higher levels of modernity and subjective well-being compared to males. While no significant rural-urban differences emerged for modernity, urban students reported greater subjective well-being than their rural counterparts. A positive correlation between modernity and subjective well-being was observed, indicating that higher modernity is associated with enhanced well-being among college students. The study highlights the importance of understanding how modern life factors, such as exposure to new ideas and lifestyles, shape the cognitive and affective evaluations of life satisfaction in this critical developmental period. Implications include tailoring support systems and interventions to promote resilience and balance for diverse student populations navigating the complexities of modern college life.