University basic studies courses provide a valuable opportunity for facilitating the knowledge, skills, and beliefs that develop healthy behaviors to last a lifetime. Belief in one's ability to participate in physical activity, exercise self-efficacy, is a psychological construct that has had a documented impact on physical activity. Although previous research has investigated self-efficacy, physical activity, and wellness in various contexts, this study has specifically focused on exercise self-efficacy and perceived wellness in a college population. The purpose of the study was to determine the relationship between exercise self-efficacy and perceived wellness in a sample of college students enrolled in a basic studies physical activity and wellness course. After surveying 611 students, the results indicated that total exercise self-efficacy significantly predicted perceived wellness and the wellness subscales of physical, spiritual, intellectual, psychological, and emotional dimensions (p less than 0.05). However, exercise self-efficacy did not significantly predict social wellness. These findings are of particular relevance because a predictive relationship between exercise self-efficacy and perceived wellness is in need of examination. This study indicated that development of exercise self-efficacy through strategically-planned curricula and educational programs may be an effective way to improve wellness among college students. (Contains 4 tables.)