Largest Universities: Student Enrollment Figures Revealed

The Indira Gandhi National Open University in Delhi, India, is the largest university in the world by number of students enrolled, with around 7.14 million students. This is a huge number of students, and it is worth noting that many of the largest universities in the world are open or distance learning institutions. The University System of Ohio and the California State University system are also among the largest educational institutions, with the latter having 2.1 million students enrolled across 114 colleges.

Undergraduate vs graduate students

In the United States, an undergraduate or "undergrad" is a student pursuing a bachelor's degree (usually a 4-year course) at a college or university or a 2-year associate's degree program at a college, community college, or vocational/technical school. Undergraduate degrees are Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS or BSc) degrees. There are also two-year Associate in Arts (AA) degrees, which are geared towards support positions in a variety of fields. Undergraduate programs have a relatively simple admissions process, and students are usually required to take the Scholastic Aptitude/Assessment Test (SAT) or the American College Testing (ACT) test.

A graduate or "grad student" is a student who has obtained a bachelor's degree and is now pursuing a master's or "graduate degree" in a 1-6 year graduate school program, typically completed in 2-3 years. Graduate programs are more specific and help students become experts in their chosen field of study. Master's degrees are generally divided into two categories: Master of Arts (MA) and Master of Science (MS or MSc). Graduate programs have more demanding admissions requirements, including proof of a completed bachelor's degree, GRE/GMAT scores, a minimum undergraduate GPA, a statement of purpose, a research proposal, and an interview with the school.

Undergraduate classes often take the form of large lectures with hundreds of students, while graduate classes are much smaller, usually consisting of fewer than 20 students. Undergraduate programs offer more structure, with professors providing detailed reading lists, organized notes, timelines, and project check-ins. In contrast, graduate programs offer more freedom, and students are expected to take more responsibility for managing their own deadlines and research. Undergraduate coursework focuses on learning information and understanding concepts, while graduate coursework involves applying that knowledge to real-world problems and developing and defending arguments.

In terms of employment prospects, an undergraduate degree allows individuals to apply for entry-level jobs, while a graduate degree expands their job market and makes them more attractive to potential employers. Graduate degrees are often required for career advancement opportunities, promotions, and leadership positions. According to the Social Security Administration, individuals with graduate degrees typically earn $650,000 to $845,000 more in median lifetime earnings than those with bachelor's degrees.

Public vs private institutions

The largest university in the world in terms of enrolment is the Indira Gandhi National Open University, which is a public university. However, public and private universities differ in several ways, and these differences may influence a student's decision about which type of university to attend.

Public universities are funded by state and federal governments, and they tend to have large campuses and thousands of students. They offer lower tuition fees for in-state students, and some are required to accept a certain percentage of students from their state to maintain funding. This can make public universities highly competitive, despite having more students overall. Public universities usually have a wider array of program offerings and research opportunities, especially in STEM fields. They also tend to have larger class sizes and a more diverse student population. However, they may have less personalized attention for students due to their larger size.

Private universities, on the other hand, are funded by tuition fees, donations, and endowments. They are generally smaller, with fewer students and smaller class sizes. This can result in a more intimate learning environment and more direct guidance for students. Private universities do not offer in-state tuition, so they attract students from a wider geographic area. They also tend to be more selective in their admissions and have higher tuition costs. However, private universities often offer more financial aid, grants, and scholarships, which can make them more affordable for some students.

When deciding between a public or private university, students should consider factors such as size, cost, and specific majors or programs they are interested in. Public universities are ideal for those seeking a wider variety of degree options and a larger campus experience, while private universities may be preferred by those who want a smaller, more personalized education and are willing to pay higher tuition fees.

Largest university campuses

University campuses vary greatly in size, with some institutions having multiple campuses across different locations. The largest universities in terms of student population are often those with multiple campuses, offering a wide range of academic programs, research opportunities, and extracurricular activities.

In the United States, the University of Central Florida has consistently ranked as one of the largest universities by enrolment over the years. With over 60,000 students, it offers more than 200 degree programs, a top-ranked video game design program, and 600+ student organizations. Other large universities in the US include Texas A&M University, Ohio State University, Florida International University, and Arizona State University.

When considering the largest universities worldwide, several institutions stand out. The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) in India is the largest open university in the world, with over 3 million students. The National University of Bangladesh caters to over 2 million students, and the Islamic Azad University in Iran enrols 1.5 million students across its campuses in Iran and other countries. The California Community Colleges System in the US serves over 1.8 million students, and the Allama Iqbal Open University in Pakistan has over 1 million students enrolled in its distance learning programs.

While these universities have a high number of enrolled students, the largest university campus in the world by area is Berry College in the state of Georgia, USA. Spread across 27,000 acres, the campus far surpasses others in terms of geographical extent, although its student population is much smaller at around 2,000.

Largest universities worldwide

Several universities worldwide enrol millions of students, with some institutions being larger than others. Here is a list of the largest universities in the world by number of students enrolled:

Indira Gandhi National Open University

With around 7.14 million students enrolled, Indira Gandhi National Open University is the largest university system in the world. Located in Delhi, India, the university promotes research, teaching, extension, and training as part of its curricula. Indira Gandhi National Open University has established its first regional headquarters in Kerala and plans to open more in the future to cater to even more students.

National University, Bangladesh

The National University in Gazipur, Dhaka, Bangladesh, has around 2 million students enrolled. This state-run university offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral courses in various subjects, including social sciences, physical sciences, humanities, languages, mathematical sciences, education, and business administration. The university's courses are scattered across its many affiliate colleges found throughout the country, as well as those on its main campus.

California Community College System

The California Community College System is the second-largest university system in the world, with approximately 2.1 million students enrolled. The system consists of 114 colleges (one source states 116) across California and was established in the early 1900s to fill a gap in the state's workforce.

Anadolu University

Anadolu University, located in Eskisehir, Turkey, has a student population of more than 1.9 million. The university offers open and distance learning, in addition to its main campus in Eskisehir. Anadolu University has two more campuses in Eylul and a "Global Campus" that provides a technologically advanced world-class education system.

Islamic Azad University

Islamic Azad University is a network of privately run universities with branches in 31 locations in Iran and several other countries. With over 1.5 million students enrolled, it is the fifth-largest university in the world. The university has been in existence since 1982 and offers a range of academic programs.

Allama Iqbal Open University

With around 1 million students enrolled, the Allama Iqbal Open University in Islamabad, Pakistan, is one of the largest institutions in the world. The university was established in 1974 and provides a comprehensive and accessible education through open and distance learning. A wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and doctorate programs are offered by the institution.

Laureate Education, Inc.

Laureate Education, Inc. is a global network of universities operating in several geographical areas, with headquarters in Baltimore, Maryland. It serves approximately 875,000 students worldwide through its network of more than 150 institutions across ten countries. Laureate Education offers a variety of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs, including business, management, health sciences, and engineering.

Bangladesh Open University

Bangladesh Open University, founded in 1992, is the only public distance-learning school in Bangladesh. With around 650,000 students enrolled, the university offers flexible and accessible higher education options through a network of study centres, sub-regional centres, and regional centres across the country.

Universitas Terbuka

Universitas Terbuka, or Open University of Indonesia, has around 646,467 students enrolled. Established in 1984, the university aims to make higher education accessible to all Indonesians, regardless of their geography or socioeconomic background. Universitas Terbuka offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs in various subjects, utilising a flexible distance learning strategy.

National Technological Institute of Mexico

The National Technological Institute of Mexico, also known as TecNM, is a network of public higher education institutions in Mexico, with around 620,000 students enrolled. TecNM was founded in 2014 by merging several technological institutes and now has 254 sites across the country. The institute offers undergraduate and graduate programs in engineering, technology, natural sciences, and business administration.

Tribhuvan University

Tribhuvan University, established in 1959, is the oldest and largest university in Nepal, with approximately 604,437 students enrolled. The university offers a wide range of programs, including undergraduate, graduate, and doctorate degrees in social sciences, natural sciences, engineering, medicine, and management. Tribhuvan University is named after King Tribhuvan and is located in Kathmandu, with component campuses throughout the country.

Largest universities in the US

The size of a university is typically determined by two main factors: total enrollment and campus area. The largest universities in the US by enrollment are:

Arizona State University

With a total enrollment of over 80,000 students, Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona, is one of the largest universities in the US. The university welcomed over 9,000 new first-year students in the fall of 2024, a record for the school. Arizona State University has multiple campuses, and between the fall of 2023 and summer of 2024, it enrolled a total of 181,000 unique students across all campuses. The Tempe campus alone has an enrollment of 51,585 students, with 64,700 undergraduates and 13,200 graduate students.

Texas A&M University

Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, is one of the largest universities in the US and the world, with an enrollment of over 68,000 students. The university has seen steady growth, with a 2.1% increase in enrollment for the 2024 fall term, translating to an additional 1,615 students. Texas A&M offers over 140 undergraduate programs and more than 270 graduate programs.

University of Central Florida

The University of Central Florida in Orlando, Florida, has the highest undergraduate enrollment of any university in the US, with over 68,000 students. UCF is the largest university by enrollment in Florida and offers 104 bachelor's degrees, 97 master's degrees, and 36 doctoral programs. It is also one of the more affordable options, with a majority of UCF students (68%) graduating without any debt.

Ohio State University

Ohio State University's main campus in Columbus enrolls over 60,000 students, with approximately 46,000 undergraduates and 14,000 graduate students. The university has an extensive alumni network of over 600,000 individuals. The campus has a high in-state student population, with Ohio residents accounting for 71.1% of the total.

New York University

As the only private school among the top 10 largest colleges in the US, New York University has an enrollment of nearly 60,000 students across over 400 programs. NYU is highly diverse, with no single ethnic group accounting for more than 22% of the student population. Approximately 12,000 students live on campus or in university housing in New York's Greenwich Village or Brooklyn Heights.

University of Florida

The University of Florida in Gainesville has an enrollment of over 55,000 students, representing over 95 countries worldwide. Despite its large size, the university maintains a 16-to-1 teacher-student ratio. It offers over 300 undergraduate degree programs across 16 institutes and research centers, including the Warrington College of Business and the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering.

University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota's Twin Cities campus in Minneapolis and St. Paul enrolls over 54,000 students, including more than 39,000 undergraduates and nearly 16,000 graduate and professional students. The university offers more than 200 graduate and professional studies programs and boasts over 900 student organizations.

University of Texas at Austin

The University of Texas at Austin is one of the largest public universities in the US, with an enrollment of over 51,000 students, including more than 41,000 undergraduates and 11,000 graduate students. The student body represents all 50 states and 132 countries. UT Austin offers over 1,000 student organizations, 70 fraternities and sororities, and hundreds of intramural sports leagues.

Florida International University

Florida International University, with its main campus in Miami, has an enrollment of over 55,000 students. FIU offers nearly 200 degree programs and is known for its international focus, with international students representing 142 countries. The university has a large number of affordable online programs, in addition to its on-campus offerings.

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has an enrollment of over 56,000 students and is known for its innovative research. The university has a long history of groundbreaking discoveries, including those that led to the development of LEDs and medical MRI technology. Notable alumni include 11 Nobel laureates and 25 Pulitzer Prize winners.

University of Maryland

The University of Maryland, with its main campus in College Park, Maryland, has an enrollment of over 40,000 students. Located just 8 miles from Washington, DC, the university offers 309 academic programs across 12 colleges. The student population includes students from all 50 states and over 120 countries.

University of South Florida

The University of South Florida, with campuses in Tampa and St. Petersburg, enrolls over 50,000 students across all campuses. The university offers a wide range of academic programs and is known for its vibrant campus life.

Indiana University Bloomington

Indiana University Bloomington has an enrollment of over 43,000 students and offers a diverse range of academic programs.

Pennsylvania State University

Pennsylvania State University, also known as Penn State, is a leading research institution with an enrollment of over 46,000 students.

Other Notable Mentions

Other large public universities in the US include Michigan State University, the University of Washington, the University of Southern California

Frequently asked questions