The article presents the results of the study of students’ social future image by the example of two large industrial regions of Russia - the Sverdlovsk and Volgograd oblast. The authors consider that the image of the social future is a system of value orientations and attitudes of social groups, including youth, to a social perspective that includes the ideal of social development, social expectations and life plans. The article is based on the results of a sociological survey of students, implemented by the authors in May 2019 at the universities of Volgograd and Yekaterinburg - the Volgograd State Technical University and the Ural Federal University. The second and third year undergraduate full-time students (N = 400) were interviewed using the questionnaire method and the target sample. The study established that the image of the desired social future of students is based on utilitarian-pragmatic values: a high standard of living, the development of high technologies and an efficient market economy are the main priorities of the students. The most significant indicators of personal success in students estimates are good family and high economic status. The study showed that the social expectations of students in both regions are predominantly negative, especially among Volgograd students. This entails the dominance of pessimistic social attitudes among students and reduces the planning horizon.