University Applications: A Growing Trend In The Usa

Each year, millions of high school seniors in the US apply to college. In 2018-19, there were around 4.23 million students in the high school graduating age group, and an estimated 3.68 million high school graduates. The number of high school graduates is projected to rise to 3.89 million in 2025-26.

In the 2022-2023 academic year, there were around 20.3 million undergraduate students enrolled in US colleges and universities, a slight decrease from the previous year. Of these, 8.5 million were pursuing a bachelor's degree.

In 2022, about 62% of people who completed high school or earned a GED certificate immediately enrolled in college.

Undergraduate enrollment statistics

Enrollment Numbers

According to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center (NSCRC), in the fall of 2023, there were approximately 15.2 million students enrolled in undergraduate programs in the U.S. This number has seen a slight decline from the previous year, with 20.4 million undergraduates enrolled in the academic year 2021/22. The overall college enrollment, including both undergraduate and graduate students, was around 18 million in 2022 and 18.1 million in 2023.

Enrollment Trends

Enrollment by Degree Level

Among undergraduate students, bachelor's degree programs are more popular than associate degree programs. In the fall of 2023, approximately 8.5 million students pursued bachelor's degrees, while around 4.4 million were enrolled in associate degree programs.

Enrollment by Institution Type

The majority of undergraduate students are enrolled in four-year institutions. In the fall of 2023, about 7.6 million students (43%) were enrolled in four-year public colleges, and an additional 2.2 million were enrolled in four-year private nonprofit colleges.

Full-Time vs. Part-Time Enrollment

Full-time enrollment is more prevalent among undergraduate students. In the fall of 2023, there were nearly twice as many full-time students as part-time students. However, at public two-year colleges, part-time enrollment is the norm, with a higher proportion of students attending classes part-time.

Enrollment by Gender

Women continue to outnumber men in undergraduate enrollment. In the fall of 2023, over 10.1 million women were enrolled in undergraduate programs, compared to about 7.2 million men. This gender disparity has been consistent since 1979, with women making up 55% of undergraduate students.

Enrollment by Race and Ethnicity

When it comes to racial and ethnic diversity, there is no single majority group among undergraduate students. White students constitute the largest racial group, followed by Hispanic or Latino students, who have seen a significant increase in enrollment over the years.

High School to College Transition

The transition from high school to college is an important aspect of undergraduate enrollment. In 2022, approximately 62% of high school graduates or GED recipients immediately enrolled in college. This rate has decreased over the past two decades, following a peak in 2000 when 76% of recent high school graduates pursued higher education.

Application and Admission Trends

The college application and admission process is highly competitive, with varying admission rates among institutions. The Common Application, used by nearly 800 colleges, has made it easier for students to apply to multiple schools. However, this has also contributed to an increase in the number of applications per student. As a result, admission rates have generally declined, with more students applying to a greater number of schools.

Public vs private college enrollment

In terms of enrollment, there were approximately 18.58 million college students in the USA in 2022, with around 13.49 million enrolled in public colleges and about 5.09 million enrolled in private colleges. These numbers are projected to remain relatively constant in the coming years.

Public colleges tend to be larger, with tens of thousands of students, and they offer a variety of programs. They are generally less selective in terms of admissions and are usually less expensive, especially for in-state residents. On the other hand, private colleges often have smaller enrollments, smaller class sizes, and lower student-teacher ratios. They are typically more selective and may be more expensive, but they also tend to offer more financial aid and scholarships.

The decision to attend a public or private college depends on various factors, including cost, selectivity, program offerings, and personal preferences. Public colleges may be a more affordable option, especially for in-state residents, while private colleges may offer more specialized programs and a more intimate learning environment. Ultimately, the choice should be based on the individual's needs, interests, and financial situation.

College enrollment trends over the years

College enrollment in the United States has been on a general downward trajectory over the past decade. In 2022, there were approximately 18.58 million college students in the U.S., with 13.49 million enrolled in public colleges and 5.09 million in private colleges. This is a decline from the peak enrollment of 21.02 million in 2010.

Historical Trends

Since the 1970s, college enrollment has been on an upward trajectory, peaking in 2010, with a steady decline since then.

COVID-19 Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic also impacted college enrollment, with a 4% decline in total college enrollment from fall 2019 to fall 2023. Undergraduate enrollment decreased by 5.6% during this period, while graduate enrollment increased by 4.8%.

Racial and Gender Diversity

The number of Hispanic or Latino students has skyrocketed in the last 50 years and continues to grow annually. In 2022, they made up 20.34% of the college student population.

Women have outnumbered men in college enrollment since 1979, and this trend continues. In fall 2023, over 10.1 million women were enrolled in college, compared to 7.2 million men.

Socioeconomic Status

Students from lower-income families are less likely to enroll in college. The majority of undergraduate students enrolled at four-year public colleges come from the wealthiest 40% of the country.

Regional Trends

California has the highest number of enrolled college students at 2.487 million, while Alaska has the smallest student population at 22,152.

Enrollment by type of college

In fall 2023, about 7.6 million college students (43%) were enrolled in four-year public institutions. In the same year, there were about 15.2 million students enrolled in an undergraduate program, with roughly 8.5 million pursuing a bachelor's degree.

In fall 2023, about 3.1 million graduate students were enrolled in master's programs and doctoral degrees, professional studies like medical and law degrees, and other graduate-level certificate programs.

In fall 2023, there were almost twice as many full-time students as part-time students. Full-time studies are more common across every institution type except for public two-year colleges, where part-time enrollment is the norm.

In fall 2023, roughly 55% of undergraduate students were women. In 2021, 53% of undergraduate and graduate students were white.

In 2022, about 39% of all 18-24-year-olds were enrolled in a postsecondary program.

Part-time vs full-time enrollment

Deciding whether to be a full-time or part-time student is a big decision, and there are several factors to consider. Here is a detailed breakdown of the differences between the two options.

Time Commitment

Full-time undergraduates usually take a minimum of 12 credits a semester, which is equivalent to about four classes. Graduate students typically require a minimum of nine credits to enrol full-time. On the other hand, part-time undergraduate students usually take 11 or fewer credits per semester, while part-time graduate students take less than nine credits.

The number of classes you take will impact the time you need to commit to your studies. Full-time students can expect to spend many hours each week on academics alone, including study time and out-of-class assignments. In contrast, part-time students may take anywhere from one to three classes a week, allowing more time for work and other obligations. However, it will take significantly longer to earn a degree as a part-time student.

Tuition Costs

Full-time students usually pay an annual or semester-based tuition rate, which can mean paying more money upfront. However, many schools charge a flat rate for 12-18 credits per semester, so students who take more credits can save money.

Part-time students generally pay per credit, which can help spread out the cost of their education over a longer period. While this can reduce the financial burden upfront, part-time students will likely be enrolled in classes for a much longer period, which could result in higher total costs.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Your enrolment status can also impact your eligibility for financial aid. For example, federal financial aid in the US requires a minimum of six credits per semester or half-time enrolment. Additionally, the amount awarded by some programs, such as Pell Grants, is proportional to the number of credit hours a student takes.

Full-time students tend to have more scholarships available to them, but part-time students can also find scholarships based on merit or need.

Graduation Rates and Retention

Enrolling full-time can positively impact your chances of graduating due to higher retention rates. In 2022, the retention rate for full-time students was 76.5%, compared to 45.9% for part-time students.

Work and Family Commitments

Graduate and non-traditional students, including those raising children or working full-time, tend to have the highest part-time enrolment rates. In October 2020, 41.5% of full-time college students worked, while 82% of part-time students were employed.

Part-time enrolment allows for more flexibility to balance work and family responsibilities, but it can also result in a hectic schedule. Full-time students may find it challenging to juggle their studies with other commitments and may need strong time management and organisational skills.

Campus Life and Extracurricular Activities

Your enrolment status may also influence aspects of campus life and extracurricular activities. For example, some schools may only allow full-time students to live in on-campus housing, and student-athletes must meet minimum coursework requirements to be eligible to play.

Both full-time and part-time enrolment have their advantages and disadvantages, and the right choice depends on your personal situation and goals. Consider your time availability, work and family commitments, financial situation, desired graduation timeline, and campus experience when making your decision.

Frequently asked questions