The present study investigated the relationships among depressive tendencies, social support, and ikigai (the Japanese word for one's sense of purpose in life) in college students. Participants were 259 college students (142 males and 117 females; mean age: 20.1±1.0 years). The Japanese versions of the Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS), the Social Support Scale, and Part-A of the Purpose in Life test (PIL) were administered. Path analysis showed that the scores for social support from friends were negatively related to the SDS scores and positively related to the PIL scores. Additionally, the scores for social support from friends were negatively related to the SDS scores via the PIL scores. These findings suggest that enhanced social support from friends reduces depressive tendencies and increases ikigai. Furthermore, this increased ikigai also reduces depressive tendencies among college students.