Lana Oconnell
There are millions of students enrolled at universities around the world. In the UK, there were almost three million students enrolled in higher education institutions in 2022-23. In the US, more than 1.1 million international students attended American universities in the last academic year. International students contributed $50 billion to the US economy in 2023, and supported over 16,800 jobs in the top three public institutions alone. In the UK, universities generated £70 billion in local spending in 2021-22.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of students at UK higher education providers in 2022–23 | 2,937,155 |
| Number of academic staff at UK higher education institutions in 2022–23 | 240,420 |
| Total staff (excluding atypical staff) at UK higher education institutions in 2022–23 | 398,170 |
| Number of people who applied through UCAS to an undergraduate course in 2023 | 752,025 |
| Number of new graduate start-ups in 2022/23 | 4908 |
| Number of new university-owned or part-owned spin-off companies in 2022/23 | 145 |
| Total income for the sector in 2022/23 | £43.9 billion |
| Total operating expenditure by the sector in 2022/23 | £48.6 billion |
| Percentage of 2023 graduates in employment or unpaid work | 87.7% |
| Median salary for English domiciled graduates in 2023 | £10,500 more than the median non-graduate salary |
| Number of international students in the US in the 2023-24 academic year | 1.1 million |
| Number of jobs created in the US in the 2023-24 academic year due to international students | 378,175 |
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What You'll Learn
University enrolment statistics by gender
University enrolment statistics vary across the world, and gender is a significant demographic factor in these statistics. In the United States, for instance, there has been a notable shift in gender representation among college students over the years. In 1949, 29.0% of college students were female, and this number increased to 41.2% in 1970. More recent data from 2024 shows that 34.2% of American males aged 18 to 24 are enrolled in college or graduate school, while the percentage of females in the same age group is higher at 43.8%.
Among first-time, full-time bachelor's degree seekers, females are 32.3% more likely to complete their degrees at the institution they first enrolled in within six years compared to males. Additionally, females are awarded a higher percentage of degrees overall, with 58.5% of bachelor's degrees, 62.6% of associate's degrees, and 62.8% of master's degrees going to women.
In terms of specific fields of study, business is the most popular major among undergraduates enrolled in 4-year programmes in Fall 2024, with 5.37% declaring it as their major. Liberal arts and sciences is also a popular choice, with 15.0% of undergraduates enrolled in 2-year institutions choosing this major.
When it comes to college-bound students, female students in the Class of 2021 were 86.4% more likely to attend 4-year institutions than males. California leads in the number of enrolled college students, with 2.487 million, followed by New York and Texas, which have over a million each. Alaska has the smallest student population, with 22,152 students.
While these statistics provide insights into university enrolment by gender in the United States, it is important to acknowledge that demographic statistics are imperfect due to the diverse nature of human identities and the limitations of historical data.
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University enrolment statistics by state
University enrolment statistics vary significantly across different US states. As of Fall 2024, the nationwide total number of postsecondary students enrolled was 19.625 million. California had the highest number of enrolled college students at 2.487 million, a 97.8% increase relative to 1970. New York and Texas are the only other states with more than a million college students enrolled.
Alaska has the smallest student population, with 22,152 students enrolled, a 112.7% increase relative to 1970. Wyoming, Montana, and Vermont all have fewer than 50,000 enrolled college students. New Hampshire, Utah, and Idaho have witnessed the largest increases in enrolment rates relative to 2010, at 184.01%, 56.94%, and 47%, respectively.
Since 2010, 45 states have seen a decline in postsecondary enrolment. The state of Alabama, for instance, has experienced a 10.8% decline in enrolment since 2010, with 294,009 students enrolled in Alabama colleges. In contrast, New Hampshire and Utah have experienced the largest year-on-year student population growth at 8.1% and 2.87%, respectively.
The COVID-19 pandemic also impacted enrolment numbers. There was a decline in undergraduate enrolment during the pandemic, while graduate student enrolment increased slightly. Postbaccalaureate enrolment, which includes master's and doctoral programs, experienced a 5% increase during the pandemic, continuing a pre-pandemic upward trend.
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Undergraduate vs graduate student numbers
The number of students enrolled in universities worldwide is difficult to ascertain due to varying definitions of higher education and data collection methods. However, we can look at undergraduate and graduate student numbers in specific countries with available data, such as the United States and Australia, to get a sense of the breakdown between the two groups.
United States
In the United States, college enrollment statistics from 2024 show that 82.9% of postsecondary students are undergraduates, while the remaining 17.1% are in graduate programs. This equates to approximately 11.91 million undergraduate and graduate students enrolled full-time, out of a total of 19.625 million postsecondary students. The gender breakdown among undergraduates is 42.7% male and 57.3% female, while graduate students are 39% male and 61% female.
Australia
Australia is reported to have the most educated population in the world. While exact undergraduate and graduate numbers are not readily available, it is reported that 2% of Australians graduate from a postsecondary or postgraduate program each year, amounting to 523,930 students annually.
Historical and State-Specific Trends in the US
Historical trends in the US show an increase in college enrollment among high school graduates, peaking at 70.1% in 2009. However, since then, there has been a 11.6% decline. A state-by-state breakdown shows that California has the highest number of enrolled college students at 2.487 million, while Alaska has the smallest student population at 22,152.
Completion Rates
Completion rates also vary between undergraduate and graduate students. Bachelor's degree seekers are more likely to graduate than associate's degree seekers. Additionally, among first-time, full-time bachelor's degree seekers, females are 32.3% more likely to complete their degrees within six years compared to males.
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Full-time vs part-time student numbers
The decision to be a full-time or part-time student can significantly impact a student's college experience. While full-time students can graduate faster, they take on a higher workload and have to pay more upfront. On the other hand, part-time students have more time for work and other responsibilities, but they may lose out on financial aid and unique college experiences.
Full-time students are those enrolled in at least 12 credit hours per semester, which is usually four classes. Graduate students typically need nine credit hours per semester to be considered full-time. Full-time students can take on more than 12 credit hours per semester, depending on their schedules and the difficulty level of their classes. They devote many hours each week to academics alone, considering the time needed for study and out-of-class assignments.
Part-time students, on the other hand, take fewer than 12 credit hours per semester. Undergraduate part-time students typically take 11 or fewer credits, while graduate part-time students take less than nine credits per semester. Part-time students have more flexibility in their schedules, allowing them to work, pursue internships, or handle personal responsibilities. This flexibility can be particularly beneficial for students with financial obligations or those with caregiving or family commitments.
The choice between full-time and part-time enrollment depends on various factors, including financial considerations, time management, personal responsibilities, and lifestyle needs. Many financial aid programs and scholarships require full-time enrollment, while part-time students may have access to limited financial aid based on their enrolled credits. Additionally, tuition costs can vary between full-time and part-time students, with some colleges charging a flat rate for 12-18 credits per semester.
While full-time students experience a more traditional college lifestyle with greater opportunities for on-campus involvement, part-time students benefit from a more gradual academic pace that can be better suited to their individual circumstances.
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Public vs private universities
Public colleges and universities are higher education institutions that are primarily funded by state governments. They benefit from lower tuition rates for in-state students, making them an accessible option for many families. The larger campus size and resources can also provide a vibrant social scene, fostering various extracurricular activities and community engagement opportunities. They also tend to offer a broader selection of majors and interdisciplinary studies.
Private colleges and universities, on the other hand, rely more heavily on student tuition fees, alumni donations, and endowments to fund their academic programs. Private colleges can be either for-profit or nonprofit. For-profit colleges are run like businesses and are most concerned with generating a profit, while nonprofit colleges focus on providing students with a quality education and generally have better reputations than for-profit schools. Private colleges often have smaller class sizes and can provide more personalized attention from faculty. They may also be able to provide substantial need-based financial aid to students.
Many private colleges have fewer student resources and research facilities, although there are exceptions, such as Johns Hopkins University and Cornell University, which spend billions of dollars on research and development each year. Private colleges, particularly liberal arts colleges, tend to offer fewer academic majors than public colleges. Students who know what they want to study may benefit from private colleges that offer a specialized focus in their field of interest.
Public universities tend to be larger than private universities, which can lead to larger class sizes. However, many public colleges try to keep their class sizes manageable to provide a similar learning experience to that of private colleges. The larger student population at public universities can also offer a diverse range of extracurricular activities and a vibrant social scene.
When choosing between a public and private university, it is important to consider factors such as cost, campus environment, academic programs, and the overall college experience. Both types of institutions offer distinct advantages and potential challenges that can significantly impact a student's educational journey and financial future.
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Frequently asked questions
Unfortunately, I do not know how many students are at university in the world.
I do not know how many students are enrolled in US universities.
This depends on the university and the country.
I cannot say which country has the most students enrolled in higher education.
Yes, university sizes vary.
