Savanna Hoffman
The traditional college student is a thing of the past, with a growing number of students pursuing their studies part-time and opting for online courses. Public universities have the highest number of enrolled students, with 7.9 million at four-year institutions and 4.8 million at two-year colleges. The student body is diverse, with a mix of races, ethnicities, and genders. Women outnumber men, and there is a significant number of student parents, particularly women of colour. Demographic trends show a decline in college enrolments, with a projected drop in the number of 18-year-olds, which could impact the economy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Gender | 57.9% of students are female, 42.1% are male. 6% of students did not disclose their gender. |
| Race | 40.5% of students are white, 18.3% are Hispanic/Latino, 34% are BIPOC, and 21% did not identify their race. |
| Age | 67.2% of students are aged 24 and under. 39% are aged 18-24. |
| Employment | 20% of college students are parents. |
| Online Learning | Nearly 5 million students attend class fully online. |
| Part-time Students | A significant portion of students pursue their studies part-time. |
| Public vs Private Institutions | 7.9 million students are enrolled at public four-year universities, compared to 4.1 million at private non-profit four-year colleges. |
| Geographic Distribution | Iowa and Alaska saw the largest declines in enrollment since 2010, while New Hampshire, Utah, Idaho, Delaware, Texas, and DC saw increases. |
| High School Seniors | There is an expected decline in the number of 18-year-olds, the traditional age of students entering college. |
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What You'll Learn
- Gender: Female students outnumber males in college
- Race/ethnicity: White students are the largest group, followed by Hispanic and Latino/a students
- Age: Most college students are aged 24 and under
- Employment: 20% of college students are parents
- Online learning: More students are enrolling in online universities
Gender: Female students outnumber males in college
Women outnumber men in colleges and universities in the United States, and this gap has been increasing over time. In 1979, about 200,000 more women were enrolled in college than men. By 2021, that difference had grown to about 3.1 million more women than men in college. In 2020, women made up 58% of all college students nationwide, up from 56.6% in 2014. In 13 states, women made up 60% or more of college students.
There are several factors that have been identified as contributors to the gender gap in higher education. One factor is the difference in academic performance between girls and boys, which begins well before college. Girls significantly outperform boys in tests of reading in the early grades and complete more college-preparatory courses than boys in high school. Additionally, women are more likely than men to pursue a college education due to the stronger incentives for women to attain desirable income levels. Women with no degrees are at a larger disadvantage in the workplace than men with no degrees, and they often earn less than their male counterparts. The "traditionally female" industries also tend to pay less.
Another factor that may contribute to the gender gap is the absence of male teachers and administrators in primary and secondary education, which may create a "feminized" environment that does not serve boys well. Additionally, men are more likely than women to cite personal choice as a reason for not completing college. About 39% of White men who didn't complete a four-year college degree say they didn't want to, compared to 27% of White women without a degree. Non-college-educated men are also more likely than women to say they didn't need a degree for the job or career they wanted.
The gender gap in college enrollment and graduation rates has implications for both men and women. Research has shown a strong correlation between college completion and lifetime earnings and wealth accumulation. As such, the growing gap in educational attainment may have significant economic consequences for men. Meanwhile, the increasing number of women in higher education may contribute to greater gender equality and opportunities for women in the workforce.
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Race/ethnicity: White students are the largest group, followed by Hispanic and Latino/a students
Diversity in college enrolment has been increasing over the decades. The representation of all racial/ethnic groups in college campuses has increased between 1980 and 2022, except for White students. White students made up around 81% of the undergraduate population in 1980, but only 54% in 2020. The number of White students in public two-year schools was 37% in 2022, and 45% in public four-year schools.
White students are still the largest racial/ethnic group in US colleges, making up 40.5% of the total undergraduate population in 2023. However, the number of Hispanic and Latino/a students has been increasing at a rapid pace. In 1980, Hispanic and Latino/a students made up 4% of the student population, but this number increased to 20% in 2020, and 18.3% in 2023.
The number of American Indian or Alaska Native students peaked in 2007 at 1.08%, with 77.37% of students in this demographic attending public institutions. Postsecondary attendance among Black or African American students was on the rise until 2010 but has been in decline since. In 2024, 13.2% of students identify as Black or African American. Asian or Asian American student attendance has also been steadily growing since 2010, with 7.39% of students identifying as Asian or Asian American in 2024.
In addition, most college student parents are women and people of colour. Furthermore, female students are more likely to complete their degrees within six years of first enrolling compared to male students.
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Age: Most college students are aged 24 and under
The age distribution of college students is an important demographic factor for universities to consider. While most college students first enrol in their late teens as full-time students, part-time students are more likely to be older.
In Fall 2021, 91% of full-time undergraduate students at public 4-year institutions were under the age of 25, compared to 87% at private non-profit institutions and 79% at public 2-year institutions. At private non-profit and for-profit 2-year institutions, students under 25 made up 50% or less of full-time students.
In 2022, the overall college enrolment rate for 18- to 24-year-olds was 39%. This age range is considered to represent the majority of students enrolled in college. Among all postsecondary students, graduate and undergraduate, 42.1% are male and 57.9% are female. However, female students are 94.1% more likely to immediately matriculate. In 2022, 62% of high school graduates enrolled in postsecondary institutions in Fall 2023.
Looking at the age distribution of all enrolled students, 26.84% are aged 18 to 19 years old, 38.52% are aged 20 to 24 years old, 9.19% are aged 25 to 29 years old, 5.71% are aged 30 to 34 years old, 3.72% are aged 35 to 39 years old, 4.1% are aged 40 to 49 years old, and people aged 50 to 64 years make up 1.92%.
In addition to age, other demographic factors considered by universities include race/ethnicity, state of residence, legacy status, and gender. Campuses continue to be diverse places with varied trends of growth and decline among individual ethnic groups.
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Employment: 20% of college students are parents
The typical image of a college student is often considered to be a young person who has recently completed high school. However, this does not reflect the diversity of today's student population. According to estimates by the National Center for Education Statistics, more than one-fifth of all college students, or approximately 4 million students, are parents. This demographic is predominantly comprised of women and people of colour, with a third being Black and over a fifth being Latino.
Student parents juggle multiple responsibilities, including part-time or full-time employment, child care, and academic pursuits. However, they often face challenges in accessing the support they need to succeed in higher education. To address this, organisations like EdTrust have conducted surveys to understand the financial, parental, and mental health aspects of student parents' lives and develop recommendations for better support.
The era of the "traditional" college student is over, and institutions must recognise the diverse needs of their student population. Part-time students, for example, tend to be older and may require more flexible and accessible resources. Additionally, the strong preference for public institutions over for-profit and private universities should be considered when planning for the future of campus communities.
Demographic statistics for college students include factors such as age, gender, race, and enrolment status. While these provide valuable insights, they may not capture the full complexity of individual experiences. For instance, the challenges faced by student parents highlight the importance of supportive communities within the broader campus environment.
In terms of racial and ethnic diversity, the undergraduate population in the U.S. has become more diverse over time. White students made up around 81% of undergraduates in 1980 but only 40.5% in 2023. During the same period, the Hispanic and Latino/a population increased significantly, from 4% to 20% of the student body. At public four-year schools, 45% of students were white, 39% were BIPOC, and 16% did not identify their race.
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Online learning: More students are enrolling in online universities
The traditional college student demographic is evolving. In the past, most students enrolled in their late teens as full-time students, but today, more older learners are enrolling in educational programs, thanks to the flexibility of online learning. In fact, there are now more than 275 accredited online universities in the country, with six million students enrolled in online education. This shift towards online learning has been accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused a steep decline in undergraduate enrollment in 2020.
Online learning offers several advantages that have contributed to its growing popularity. One of the main benefits is flexibility, allowing students to access course materials, participate in discussions, and complete assignments from anywhere. This enables students to balance their education with other responsibilities, such as work or family commitments. In fact, approximately 68% of students in online programs are returning students or working adults, highlighting the role of online education in facilitating lifelong learning. Additionally, online programs often provide more affordable tuition rates compared to traditional on-campus options, making higher education more accessible to cost-conscious students.
The rise of online learning has also impacted the demographics of students at public universities. While public universities have historically served a diverse range of students, the shift towards online education has made it easier for non-traditional students, such as older learners and working adults, to pursue higher education. This has resulted in a more diverse student body, with a mix of traditional and non-traditional students, as well as a wider range of ethnic and racial backgrounds.
However, the shift towards online learning has also presented some challenges, particularly in terms of student engagement and belonging. Online-only students have reported lower rates of participation in extracurricular activities and a decreased sense of belonging compared to their on-campus peers. This highlights the importance of creating a sense of community and connection for online learners, even in the absence of physical proximity.
Overall, the trend towards online learning is likely to continue, with more students enrolling in online universities and taking advantage of the flexibility and accessibility that this mode of education offers. As such, institutions must plan for a hybrid future, incorporating both online and on-campus elements to cater to the diverse needs and preferences of their students.
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Frequently asked questions
As of Fall 2024, there were 8.7 million women and 6.4 million men enrolled in undergraduate programs. About 1.9 million women and 1.1 million men were enrolled in graduate programs. Approximately 6% of college students, or 1 million people, did not disclose their gender.
In the fall of 2023, white students made up nearly half of the total undergraduate population at 40.5%. Hispanic and Latino/a students were the second-largest group, making up 18.3% of the total undergraduate population. At public four-year schools, 45% of students were white, 39% were BIPOC, and 16% did not identify their race.
The representation of all racial/ethnic groups in college enrollment has increased with each decade, except for white students. White students made up around 81% of the undergraduate population in 1980, but only 54% in 2020. The number of online learners has also increased since the COVID-19 pandemic, with nearly 5 million college students taking classes fully online.
Yes, public universities do track the demographics of their students. This information is used to understand the makeup of their student body and to inform strategies for engaging students in the campus community.
Changing student demographics have had a significant impact on public universities. As the number of high school graduates declines, colleges and universities are admitting a larger proportion of their applicants, and tuition rates, when adjusted for inflation, are declining. However, this also means that there will likely be many colleges and universities closing in the coming years, impacting local communities and the economy.
