Objective To explore the association between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and deliberate self-harm among college students. Methods The convenience sampling method was used to select undergraduate students from 12 colleges and universities in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region as research subjects. An online survey was conducted through the "Wenjuanxing" platform, covering general demographic data, ACEs, and deliberate self-harm behaviors. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the association between ACEs and deliberate self-harm among college students. Results Among 1,801 college students, 34 cases of suicide attempt were detected, with a detection rate of 1.89%. The detection rate of suicide attempt among only children was higher than that among non-only children (P<0.05). A total of 70 cases of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) were detected, with a detection rate of 3.89%. Among the 1,801 college students, the detection of ACEs was as follows: neglect was the most common, detected in 873 students (48.47%); followed by abuse, detected in 541 students (30.04%); household dysfunction was detected in 304 students (16.88%); and peer, community and collective violence was the least common, detected in 198 students (10.99%). College students who experienced neglect in childhood had a higher detection rate of suicide attempt than those who did not. College students who experienced abuse; household dysfunction; or peer, community and collective violence had higher detection rates of both SA and NSSI than those who did not (all P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that being an only child; experiencing childhood abuse; and experiencing childhood peer, community and collective violence were risk factors for SA (all OR>1, all P<0.05); while experiencing childhood abuse; household dysfunction; and peer, community and collective violence were risk factors for NSSI (all OR>1, all P<0.05). Conclusion The findings suggest that various ACEs are associated with an increased risk of deliberate self-harm among college students, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.