Objective: To understand the willingness of college students in Nanjing on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) first aid, to compare the differences between medical students and non medical students in CPR first aid willingness, and to explore ways to improve the willingness. Methods: We performed convenience sampling method to investigate the CPR first aid willingness of college students in Nanjing. Results: More than 90% of college students were willing to perform chest cardiac massage (CCM). The ratio of mouth to mouth resuscitation (MMR) to strangers was much lower than the rate of MMR to their relatives (68.3% vs. 88.0%, P < 0.007). There was a significant difference between the female college students’ willingness on the rescue of MMR for strangers and their relatives (P < 0.007). The willingness of medical students on performing MMR for strangers was significantly lower than that for their relatives (66.0% vs. 94.9%, P < 0.007), however, non medical students had no significant difference between them (P > 0.007). The students＇ main psychological obstacles that impact strangers rescue was afraid not to save the wounded, followed by the fear of being blackmailed. Conclusion: The willingness of college students in Nanjing for rescue strangers is not high. Strengthening scientific training, formulating rescue protection law and cracking down on medical trouble and injury medical incidents and carrying out the education of socialist core values for children are the main ways to improve the first-aid intention.