The purpose of this quantitative comparative study was to apply meditation and yoga to reduce academic stress of community college students. A quantitative method with web-enhanced survey design was an appropriate approach for the study. The target population was 18 years and older full-time freshmen of community college students in southern United States. A minimum sample size of 136 participants met that requirement for six predictor variables with a power = 0.80, [alpha] = 0.05, and a medium size effect. The data collected were analyzed using SPSS v27 by descriptive statistics with the Mann-Whitney U Test. Results showed differences in mean ranks, significance in p-values compared to the set criteria level (p < 0.50), and z-scores. For four out of six dependent variables, results showed significant differences in mean ranks to reject the null hypotheses. For two hypotheses, namely, increase in academic performance and increase in self-confidence, the test result showed no significant differences in the mean ranks to retain the null hypotheses. The results showed that participants perceived yoga, more than meditation, had an impact in increasing academic achievement, reduction in academic test anxiety and academic stress and increase in self-confidence. Findings of this research will be beneficial to higher education administrators as they consider ways to minimize stress and promote better academic outcomes for students. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]