BACKGROUND: University students are vulnerable to depression due to the transitional nature of their life stage, which often involves increased academic pressures and social changes. This study aims to examine the prevalence, symptoms, and associated risk factors for depressive symptoms among undergraduate students at non-medical universities. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted at non-medical universities in Mwanza Region, Tanzania. A self-administered, structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. The presence and severity of depressive symptoms were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II). RESULTS: A total of 768 students participated in the study. The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 35.7%. A significant proportion experienced loss of interest and pleasure ( = 516; 67.2%), felt easily tired ( = 373; 48.6%), and had difficulty making decisions ( = 303; 39.4%). A significant relationship was observed between age and depressive symptoms, with participants aged 25 and above reporting higher rates of depressive symptoms (53.2%) compared to those aged 18-24 (28.8%) ( < 0.001). Similarly, the year of study was significantly associated with depressive symptoms; fourth-year students had the highest proportion of depressive symptoms (64.3%), while first-year students had the lowest proportion (26.2%) ( < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This study found that over one-third of undergraduate students in non-medical universities suffer from depressive symptoms. This high prevalence rate highlights an urgent need for targeted mental health interventions within university settings to prevent long-term academic, social, and psychological consequences. Campus counseling services should prioritize screening for key symptoms while developing stress-management programs tailored to academic progression challenges.