PURPOSE: To investigate the association of PA and more specifically PA intensity with anxiety and depression, subjective well-being, COVID-19 quality of life (QoL) and to determine if there are gender differences in these associations. METHODS: College students (n = 1268) from a large Midwestern research university (mean age = 21.5 ± 3.6 years, cisgender female = 65%, cisgender male = 31%, transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) = 4%) voluntarily and anonymously completed an online survey in November 2020. Self-reported time spent in vigorous PA (VPA), moderate PA (MPA), and walking in the last week was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) - short form. Total PA (TPA) was calculated by adding the VPA, MPA, and walking measures. Anxiety and depression were measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire -Anxiety and Depression Scale. Subjective well-being was assessed using the Satisfaction with Life Scale. The impact of COVID-19 on quality of life (COVID-19 QoL) questionnaire was used to assess the impact of COVID-19 on well-being. RESULTS: Multiple linear regression models indicated that COVID-19 QoL was a significant predictor of the TPA (b = -.29, SE = 0.079, p < 0.001), VPA (b = -.60, SE = 0.142, p < 0.001), and MPA (b = -.31, SE = 0.126, p = 0.015) models. Subjective well-being was a significant predictor of the TPA (b = .03, SE = 0.009, p = 0.002), VPA (b = .04, SE = 0.015, p = .012), MPA (b = .05, SE = 0.014, p < 0.001), and walking (b = .02, SE = 0.010, p = 0.04) models. Anxiety and depression were not significant predictors in any models (p's > 0.05). Gender was also a significant predictor of VPA [female (b = -0.65, SE = 0.220, p = .003), TGNC (b = -2.03, SE = 0.543, p = .001)], MPA [female (b = -0.40, SE = 0.196, p = .042)], and walking [female (b = .36, SE = 0.137, p = .009)] models. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that PA intensity is associated with higher subjective well-being and lower impact of COVID-19 quality of life in college students. Promoting PA participation may be an effective approach to improving well-being in this age group during the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]