Saved by the Bell: The College Years (1993)

The Bayside gang trades high school hallways for college dorms in this short-lived but nostalgic NBC spinoff from the early 1990s.

Saved by the Bell: The College Years - Series Information

  • Original Title: Saved by the Bell: The College Years
  • First Air Year: 1993
  • Last Air Year: 1994
  • Created by: Sam Bobrick
  • Type: TV Series
  • Genres: Family, Comedy
  • Content Rating (US): TV-G
  • Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (22 minutes)
  • Number of Seasons: 1
  • Number of Episodes: 19
  • Status: Ended
  • Original Language: English
  • Spoken Languages: English
  • First Air Date: May 22, 1993 (United States - TV-G)
  • Networks: NBC
  • Production Companies: Peter Engel Productions, NBC Productions

Saved by the Bell: The College Years - Plot

The gang from Bayside High is leaving home and heading to the campus of California University for four years of new challenges, new faces and wild, new adventures.

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Saved by the Bell: The College Years - Cast & Crew

Creator(s)

  • Sam Bobrick

Main Cast

  • Mark-Paul Gosselaar
  • Mario López
  • Dustin Diamond
  • Anne Tremko
  • Kiersten Warren
  • Bob Golic
  • Tiffani-Amber Thiessen
  • Patrick Fabian
  • Holland Taylor
  • Jake Beecham

Writers

  • Renee Palyo
  • Debra Fasciano
  • Mark Fink
  • Jeffrey Duteil
  • Andy Guerdat

Executive Producers

  • Peter Engel

Saved by the Bell: The College Years - FAQs

Is Saved by the Bell: The College Years a sequel?

Yes, it's a direct continuation of the beloved original Saved by the Bell series. It picks up immediately after high school graduation, following Zack, Slater, Screech, and Kelly as they enroll at California University — bringing familiar faces into a brand-new collegiate setting.

Why did The College Years get cancelled after one season?

The College Years struggled in its primetime NBC slot, facing stiff competition and lower ratings than expected for a Saved by the Bell spinoff. NBC cancelled it after just one season of 19 episodes. Ironically, the series finale aired after the show had already been cancelled.

Where can you stream Saved by the Bell: The College Years?

You can watch it for free with ads on Tubi TV. If you prefer to own it, episodes are available to buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and Fandango At Home. It's also available via the Wonder Project Amazon Channel with a subscription.

Which original cast members returned for The College Years?

Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Mario López, Dustin Diamond, and Tiffani-Amber Thiessen all reprised their iconic roles as Zack, Slater, Screech, and Kelly. Notably absent was Lisa Turtle actress Lark Voorhies, while new characters including Leslie, Alex, and Mike Rogers were introduced to round out the college ensemble.

What is the content rating for The College Years?

The series carries a TV-G rating, making it suitable for all audiences. Like its predecessor, the show maintains a clean, family-friendly tone despite the college setting, keeping storylines light and accessible for viewers of all ages.

Who created Saved by the Bell: The College Years?

The series was created by Sam Bobrick, with Peter Engel serving as executive producer — the same producer behind the original Saved by the Bell. It was produced by Peter Engel Productions and NBC Productions, and aired on NBC during the 1993–1994 television season.

Did Holland Taylor appear in The College Years?

Yes, Holland Taylor joined the cast as Dean Susan McMann, the authoritative yet fair dean of California University. Her addition brought a recognizable veteran presence to the show, and Taylor — later celebrated for roles in Two and a Half Men and Legally Blonde — gave the series a welcome boost of credibility.

What shows are similar to The College Years?

Fans of The College Years tend to enjoy A Different World, the beloved Cosby Show spinoff set at a historically Black college, as well as the original Saved by the Bell and California Dreams for that same early-90s NBC Saturday morning energy. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Hangin' with Mr. Cooper also hit similar comedic notes.

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