ABSTRACT Academic performance in higher education is influenced by socioeconomic conditions. This study examined the impact of socioeconomic challenges on the academic performance of students in selected Colleges of Education in Borno State, Nigeria. A descriptive survey design was adopted. From a population of 5,800 students, 300 respondents were selected using simple random sampling. Data were collected with the Socioeconomic Challenges and Academic Performance Questionnaire (SCAPQ) and analysed using descriptive statistics, the Independent Samples t-test, and Simple Linear Regression at the 0.05 level of significance. Findings showed that respondents experienced socioeconomic challenges and perceived them as influencing academic performance, although statistical analyses indicated that socioeconomic challenges were not significant predictors of academic performance. The study recommends strengthening scholarships, welfare services, and learning resources.