Resilience refers to the capacity to remain emotionally strong and adaptable during adversity. This study explored how coping strategies predict resilience among Malaysian undergraduate students. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted with 96 participants, who completed validated measures of coping (problem-focused, emotion-focused, and avoidance-focused) and resilience. Standard multiple regression analysis revealed that the model was significant, F (3, 92) = 14.90, p < .001, explaining 30.5% of the variance in resilience (R2 = .305). Problem-focused coping significantly and positively predicted resilience, suggesting that actively managing stress enhances students’ ability to recover. Emotion-focused coping was a significant negative predictor, indicating that focusing on negative emotions may weaken resilience. Interestingly, avoidance-focused coping also positively predicted resilience, potentially reflecting cultural norms where disengagement helps reduce distress. These findings highlight the complex role of coping strategies and emphasize the need for culturally sensitive interventions to foster resilience among Malaysian university students.