University Student Population: How Many Are There?

The size of a university's student body can vary greatly, from a few hundred to tens of thousands of students. According to the Carnegie Classification of colleges and universities, institutions with fewer than 5,000 students are considered small. Examples of small colleges include Colgate, Grinnell, and Reed, which are typically private. Medium-sized colleges enrol between 5,000 and 15,000 students, and large universities have more than 15,000 students.

In the US, there were roughly 18 million students enrolled in colleges in 2023, with about 15.2 million in undergraduate programs and 3.1 million in graduate programs. The number of undergraduate students enrolled in US colleges was as high as about 65,200 in the fall of 2023, with Arizona State University enrolling the most students. However, most institutions enrol far fewer, with an average headcount of about 6,400 across 1,190 colleges that reported data to US News in an annual survey.

Undergraduate vs. graduate student numbers

The number of students attending a university varies across the world. In the US, roughly 18 million students are enrolled in colleges, with about 15.2 million enrolled in undergraduate programs and 3.1 million enrolled in graduate programs. In the UK, there were 2,937,155 students studying at higher education providers in 2022–23, with 2,053,520 undergraduate students and 883,635 postgraduate students.

In the US, undergraduate enrollment has been declining since 2010, with a 5.6% decrease from fall 2019 to fall 2023. However, graduate enrollment has increased by 4.8% during the same period. The majority of college students in the US are enrolled at the undergraduate level, with bachelor's degrees being more popular than associate degrees.

In the UK, the number of undergraduate and postgraduate students has also been changing over the years. In 2023, a record 23% of 18-year-olds from low-participation neighbourhoods were accepted to study full-time undergraduate degrees, compared to 14.1% in 2012. The entry rate of state school students receiving free school meals has also increased from 13% in 2012 to 19.1% in 2023.

The demographics of undergraduate and graduate students also differ. In the US, 55% of undergraduate students and 59% of graduate students are female. Additionally, 53% of undergraduate students are white, while 39% of graduate students are male. Graduate programs also tend to have a higher percentage of international students, with India, China, South Korea, Canada, and Taiwan being the top five countries of origin for international graduate students in the US in 2022/23.

Full-time vs. part-time student numbers

The number of students attending a university can vary depending on several factors, including the institution's size, location, and the availability of part-time and full-time programs. Let's take a closer look at the numbers for full-time and part-time students:

Full-time and part-time student numbers can vary significantly between universities and countries. Here are some statistics to provide a clearer picture:

United States:

In the fall of 2022, about 19 million students attended US colleges and universities, including non-degree-granting institutions. Of these, 11.5 million students attended full-time, while 7.4 million attended part-time. This indicates a significant proportion of students opting for part-time studies.

When it comes to enrollment status, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reports that in the fall of 2019, out of 19.6 million students attending colleges and universities, 7.7 million were part-time students. This data suggests that part-time enrollment makes up a large percentage of the total student population.

United Kingdom:

While I couldn't find specific numbers for part-time students in the UK, it is worth noting that in 2022-23, there were 2,937,155 students studying at UK higher education providers. This includes both undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Factors Affecting Full-Time and Part-Time Student Numbers:

The decision to pursue full-time or part-time studies depends on various factors, and these choices have an impact on student numbers:

• Personal and Family Responsibilities: Part-time studies are often chosen by students with family or caregiving responsibilities, allowing them a more flexible schedule to balance their commitments.
• Employment: Many students opt for part-time studies to accommodate their work schedules. Part-time students often have more flexible schedules, allowing them to work and earn money while pursuing their degrees.
• Financial Considerations: Tuition costs are generally lower for part-time students, who typically pay per credit. Full-time students often face higher upfront costs but may benefit from capped tuition rates.
• Time to Complete the Program: Full-time students can complete their degrees faster, usually within the traditional four-year timeframe. Part-time students may take longer, often requiring 6-10 years for a bachelor's degree.
• Academic Course Load: Full-time students take more courses and credits per semester, which can be demanding and require strong time management skills. Part-time students often prefer a lighter course load to focus on fewer classes.
• Financial Aid and Scholarships: Full-time enrollment is often a requirement to receive financial aid, health insurance, and scholarships. Part-time students may have limited access to financial assistance, and their eligibility for aid is typically based on the number of credits they take.
• Extracurricular Activities: Part-time students have more time for extracurricular activities, athletics, and hobbies. Full-time students, on the other hand, spend more time on campus and are more likely to be present for group meetings and activities.

Male vs. female student numbers

University student numbers vary depending on the country and region. In the US, for example, there were roughly 18 million students enrolled in colleges and universities in 2023, with about 15.2 million enrolled in undergraduate programs and 3.1 million in graduate programs. Of these, 55% were women, a trend that has been consistent since 1979.

A similar gender disparity is seen in the UK, where 11.5 million students attended colleges and universities in 2022, of which 11 million were female and 8 million were male.

In contrast, in low-income countries, girls are less likely to complete their primary and secondary education than boys. On average, about 66% of female primary school students complete primary school, compared to 71% of male students. However, in upper-middle-income countries, completion rates are higher for girls than boys, and female enrollment rates exceed male rates by more than 5% in over 100 countries at the tertiary level.

The gender gap in education is also evident in the fields of study chosen by male and female students. Women are less likely to enroll in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, and as a result, they represent less than 50% of STEM graduates in most countries.

Domestic vs. international student numbers

The number of students enrolled in a university and the breakdown of domestic and international students vary depending on the country and university in question. Here is a comparison of domestic and international student numbers for universities in the US and the UK.

United States

In the US, college enrollment has generally declined over the past decade. In fall 2023, there were approximately 18.1 million students enrolled in degree-granting colleges and universities, with about 15.2 million in undergraduate programs and 3.1 million in graduate programs. While the data does not provide a specific breakdown of domestic and international students, it mentions that there were about 1.0 million students whose gender was unreported, which may include international students.

United Kingdom

In the UK, during the 2022-23 academic year, there were a total of 2,937,155 students studying at higher education providers. Of these, 2,175,530 were from the UK, 95,505 from EU countries, and 663,355 from non-EU countries. The data suggests that UK universities attract a significant number of international students, with over 20% of the student population coming from outside the country.

Wichita State University (US)

While data for the entire US was discussed previously, it is worth noting that the breakdown of domestic and international students can vary by university. For example, at Wichita State University, domestic students, which include American citizens, naturalized US citizens, permanent residents, refugees, and asylees, make up the majority of the student body. International students at Wichita State University are classified as those in non-immigrant visa status, including H1-B visa holders.

Degree-granting vs. non-degree-granting institutions

In the US, there are two types of postsecondary institutions: degree-granting and non-degree-granting institutions.

Degree-granting institutions

Degree-granting institutions are colleges or universities that offer at least one program at the bachelor's or higher degree level. In the academic year 2021-22, there were 3,542 degree-granting postsecondary institutions in the US with first-year undergraduates. Of these, 2,267 were four-year institutions, and 1,275 were two-year institutions. Four-year institutions tend to offer a broader range of instructional programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels, while two-year institutions generally focus on providing career-oriented programs and preparing students to transfer to four-year institutions.

Non-degree-granting institutions

Non-degree-granting institutions are those that do not offer programs leading to a bachelor's or higher degree. This includes community colleges, vocational schools, and other educational institutions that offer certificates, diplomas, or other qualifications that are not considered degrees.

Enrollment statistics

In fall 2023, approximately 18.1 million students were enrolled in degree-granting colleges and universities in the US. This includes both undergraduate and graduate students. Undergraduate programs had about 15.2 million students, with roughly 8.5 million pursuing a bachelor's degree and 4.4 million getting associate degrees. There were about 3.1 million students enrolled in graduate programs.

On the other hand, in fall 2022, about 19 million students attended colleges and universities, including non-degree-granting institutions. Of these, 15.8 million attended undergraduate programs, and 3.2 million attended graduate programs.

Admissions policies

The admissions policies of degree-granting institutions vary. In the academic year 2021-22, about 25% of four-year institutions had open admissions policies, accepting all applicants. 42% accepted three-quarters or more of their applicants, 23% accepted half to less than three-quarters, and 10% accepted less than half. Most two-year institutions (92%) had open admissions policies.

Frequently asked questions