University Student Population: How Many Are There?

There are around 254 million students enrolled in universities around the world, a number that has more than doubled in the last 20 years and is expected to double again in the next decade. This massive growth is critical as a student with a tertiary education degree earns more than twice as much as a high school graduate. However, despite the boom in demand, the overall enrollment ratio is 42% with large differences between countries and regions. Tertiary education is extremely beneficial, not just for the individual but for society as a whole. Graduates of tertiary education are more environmentally conscious, have healthier habits, and have a higher level of civic participation.

How many students are enrolled in US colleges? (19 million in 2022)

College enrollment in the US has been declining since its peak in 2010, when 21.02 million students were enrolled in higher education. As of Fall 2022, there were 18.95 million postsecondary students in the US, a decline of 11.61% since 2010. Out of these, 15.397 million were undergraduate students, a 7% decline from 2019. The number of total enrolled postsecondary students declined by 0.4% from 2021 to 2022.

In Fall 2023, almost 18.1 million students were enrolled in US colleges and universities. Out of these, about 15.2 million were enrolled in an undergraduate program, and 3.1 million were enrolled in a graduate-level program.

In 2022, about 39% of all 18-24-year-olds were enrolled in a postsecondary program. In the same year, about 62% of people who completed high school or earned a GED certificate immediately enrolled in college.

College enrollment was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, with total enrollment (graduate and undergraduate) falling by 4% from Fall 2019 to Fall 2023. Undergraduate enrollment decreased by 5.6% during that period, while graduate enrollment increased by 4.8%.

In Fall 2023, about 7.6 million college students (43%) were enrolled in four-year public institutions. Most college students are enrolled at the undergraduate level, with bachelor's degrees being more popular than associate programs. As of Fall 2023, 8.5 million students were pursuing a bachelor's degree, while 4.4 million were getting associate degrees.

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.

How many students are enrolled in UK universities? (2.9 million in 2022/23)

In the academic year 2022/23, there were 2,937,155 students enrolled with higher education providers in the UK. This figure includes both undergraduate and postgraduate students, with 2,053,520 undergraduates and 883,635 postgraduates. The number of students enrolled in UK higher education institutions has been increasing in recent years, with 2022/23 seeing the highest number of enrolled students.

Of the 2.9 million students enrolled in UK higher education, the majority were from the UK (2,175,530), while there were also substantial numbers of students from the EU (95,505) and non-EU countries (663,355). In total, there were 260 higher education providers in the UK that returned data to the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) for the 2022/23 academic year.

The University with the highest number of students enrolled in 2021/22 was the Open University, with 151,840 students. University College London had the second-highest number, with 46,830 students, closely followed by the University of Manchester, with 46,140 students.

How does university size affect the experience?

The size of a university can significantly influence a student's experience, from the social environment to academic opportunities and resources.

Large universities

Large universities, with more than 15,000 students, offer a wide range of benefits. They often have a diverse array of academic majors, research facilities, graduate schools, well-known faculty members, and Division I sports teams. These universities can also provide students with a large alumni network, which can be beneficial for networking and career opportunities. Large universities may also offer more lecture-style classes, which can provide a different learning experience and access to renowned professors. However, in these large classes, it might be challenging to get individual attention from professors or stand out academically. Large universities may also have more bureaucratic processes for administrative tasks, such as changing majors or accessing academic support.

Small universities

Small universities, with fewer than 5,000 students, tend to have tight-knit communities where students can get to know each other and develop long-lasting relationships with peers, professors, and staff. This sense of community can be comforting and foster a supportive environment. However, small universities may offer a limited number of academic majors and programmes, and students may find fewer social opportunities, activities, and events. While a close-knit community can be advantageous, it can also make it challenging to avoid people one would rather not socialise with.

Medium-sized universities

Medium-sized universities, with 5,000 to 15,000 students, can offer a balance between the benefits of large and small institutions. They may provide a good mix of academic options and social opportunities while still allowing students to develop a sense of community and find their place.

Personal preferences

Ultimately, the impact of university size on a student's experience depends on individual preferences. Some students may prefer the excitement and extensive resources of a large university, while others may seek the comfort and close community of a small university. Deciding between a large, medium-sized, or small university often comes down to the social environment that aligns with one's personality and interests. It's worth considering whether one would feel more comfortable as a "small fish in a big pond" or a "big fish in a small pond." Visiting campuses of varying sizes and keeping an open mind can help prospective students determine which university size suits them best.

How does university size correlate with tuition fees?

The size of a university can definitely affect your college experience. A large university can feel overwhelming to some students, while a small college can feel friendly and comfortable. The number of students on campus can also impact the level of social opportunities, activities, and events available.

When it comes to tuition fees, there is no clear correlation with university size. Tuition fees are determined by a variety of factors, including location, ranking, prestige, and funding sources. For example, public universities tend to have lower tuition fees than private universities, regardless of their size. Additionally, universities in different countries will have different tuition fee structures, which may be influenced by government policies and funding.

In the United States, for instance, the average tuition for public, four-year colleges is around $11,610 for in-state students and $30,780 for out-of-state students for the 2024-2025 academic year. Private four-year institutions are significantly more expensive, with an average annual tuition of $43,350. However, university size does not seem to be a determining factor in tuition costs within these categories.

Similarly, in the United Kingdom, tuition fees can vary across universities, but the variation is based more on the specific university and the program being offered rather than the overall size of the university. For example, University College London (UCL), a large university, charges international undergraduate students between £19,720 and £28,610 (~$24,980-$36,234) per year. In contrast, the University of Cambridge, a smaller university, charges international students between £22,227 and £58,038 (~$28,130-$73,460) per year.

Therefore, while university size can impact your experience and the opportunities available, it is not a direct indicator of tuition fees. Tuition fees are influenced by a complex interplay of factors, and it is essential to research the specific universities and programs of interest to understand their cost structure.

How does university size impact student satisfaction?

The size of a university can impact a student's satisfaction with their course. For example, students at smaller institutions may feel more comfortable in a tight-knit community, whereas others may feel isolated. Students at larger institutions may feel overwhelmed or anonymous, but they may also benefit from a wider variety of majors, research facilities, and social opportunities.

According to the Carnegie Classification of colleges and universities, colleges with fewer than 5,000 students are considered "small", those with 5,000 to 15,000 students are "medium", and "large" colleges have more than 15,000 students.

However, the size of a university does not always align with the size of its classes. For example, a large university may have smaller class sizes than a small college, depending on the subject and year of study.

Research suggests that students in smaller classes typically self-report greater learning, and there is some evidence that smaller class sizes are associated with increased student engagement and higher student ratings of the course and instructor quality. However, the relationship between class size and student learning is still highly debated, and other studies have found no effect or mixed results.

One study found that student satisfaction levels went down slightly as enrollment increased at community colleges, while satisfaction levels rose sharply with enrollment size at career schools. At four-year institutions, satisfaction held steady across all enrollment groups.

Another study found that students in larger classes reported feelings of isolation and reduced faculty interaction, which can lead to decreased student motivation and retention. However, the use of active learning pedagogies, such as team-based learning, can help improve student performance and satisfaction in larger classes.

In summary, while university size may have some impact on student satisfaction, there are many other factors to consider, such as the quality of teaching, the availability of resources, and the social environment. Ultimately, the perfect size of a university will depend on an individual student's preferences and priorities.

Frequently asked questions