Factor structure of the counseling center assessment of psychological symptoms (CCAPS): Comparisons across college students in inpatient and outpatient settings

•CCAPS-34 showed measurement invariance across levels of care in a hospital.•CCAPS-34 is a promising tool for both inpatient and outpatient college students.•Higher depression distinguishes student inpatients from those treated on campus. This study examined the measurement model of the Counseling Center Assessment of Psychological Symptoms 34-item version (CCAPS-34) in 363 college student patients of a psychiatric hospital, and compared their ratings with national student samples treated in counseling centers (the national average). The 7-factor model of the CCAPS-34 fits well with data from patient samples. The measure showed measurement invariance across levels of care (i.e., inpatient and outpatient). Compared to the national average, the most apparent differences in clinical characteristics of hospitalized students were higher levels of depression.