The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between emotional intelligence, stress and college adaptation among dental hygiene students. The data were analyzed by the frequency analysis, t-test, one way ANOVA, and correlation analysis using SPSS 19.0. The results of this study were as follows. The emotis than male students, and 3-year college students were significantly higher in college adaptation scores. By grade, the lower the grade, the higher the emotional intelligence and the lower the stress. The higher the academic achievement and majors satisfaction, the higher the emotional intelligence and college adjustment score and the lower the stress score. Emotional intelligence showed a positive correlation with college adonal intelligence, stress, and adaptation score according to general characteristics were higher in female studentaptation but negative correlation with stress. It is necessary to develop the program that can help increase the emotional intelligence and apply such program to the college curricula.