Savanna Hoffman
College enrollment in the US has seen fluctuations over the years, influenced by various factors such as demographic changes, educational preferences, and economic considerations. In fall 2023, approximately 18.1 million students were enrolled in colleges and universities, with a significant proportion pursuing undergraduate programs. The number of college students is estimated to reach 19.25 million, reflecting a positive turnaround in enrollment trends. California leads the nation in college enrollment, experiencing a substantial increase since 1970. The distribution of students across different types of institutions, such as public and private colleges, varies, with public four-year universities attracting the highest number of students. These enrollment figures provide valuable insights into the state of higher education in the US.
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What You'll Learn
In 2022, there were 18.58 million US college students
In 2022, there were 18.58 million college students in the United States. This number includes students enrolled in both public and private colleges. The number of students enrolled in college has been on a general decline over the past decade, but it is projected to increase by 9% from 2021 to 2031.
Among the 18.58 million college students in the US in 2022, about 13.49 million were enrolled in public colleges, and 5.09 million were enrolled in private colleges. California had the highest number of enrolled college students at 2.487 million, followed by New York and Texas, which are the only other states with over a million college students enrolled. Alaska has the smallest student population, with 22,152 students enrolled.
In terms of demographics, about 60% of college students in 2022 were women, and 40% were men. This gender distribution has been the case since 1979. In 2022, 39% of 18-24-year-olds were enrolled in a postsecondary program. Enrollment among Hispanic females has seen an absolute increase of 10.61% from 1976 to 2022 relative to total enrollment. American Indians and Alaska Natives had a low absolute increase in enrollment relative to total enrollments, increasing by only 0.043% since 1976. In 2022, LGBTQ+ educator and expert Genny Beemyn, Ph.D., found that 6% of college students, roughly 1 million, did not disclose their gender.
In the 2022-2023 academic year, 1.06 million enrolled college students (5.69%) were international. The number of international students enrolled in U.S. postsecondary institutions in 2021 declined significantly due to COVID-related travel restrictions. In the 2020-2021 academic year, 1,057,188 international students enrolled in U.S. postsecondary institutions. In 2022, 324,196 active students enrolled in U.S. colleges were from China, and 297,151 were from India.
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%-74% of students attend public institutions.
The number of students enrolled in colleges and universities in the US has fluctuated over the years. In 2022, there were approximately 18.58 million college students in the country, with a slight decrease to 15.4 million in 2021. The number rose to 19.28 million in 2024, and projections indicate a further increase to 19.57 million in 2025.
Among these students, a significant majority attend public institutions. In 2024, it was estimated that 73.2% to 74.3% of college students across all education levels chose public institutions. This trend is particularly prominent among undergraduates, with 72.6% to 74.9% of these students enrolling in public colleges.
Public colleges, often referred to as state colleges, are primarily funded by state governments. They typically offer different tuition fees for students based on their state residency status. Private colleges, on the other hand, rely on private donors and endowments for funding and generally charge uniform tuition fees to all students.
The appeal of public colleges can be attributed to various factors. One significant consideration is cost. Private colleges are often significantly more expensive than their public counterparts. For example, Harvey Mudd College in California, a private institution, charged annual expenses totaling almost $78,000 for the 2021-2022 academic year.
Additionally, public colleges often provide a diverse range of enrollment options, catering to both full-time and part-time students. They also attract students seeking specific program durations, such as two-year or four-year degrees. According to statistics, public four-year universities enrolled the greatest number of students (approximately 7.9 million), closely followed by public two-year colleges (around 4.8 million).
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36 -37% of students attend part-time.
In the United States, there were approximately 18.58 million college students in 2022, with around 13.49 million enrolled in public colleges and 5.09 million enrolled in private colleges. The number of students enrolled in colleges and universities in the US has been declining since its peak in 2010 at 21.02 million. This downward trend continued through the coronavirus pandemic, with undergraduate enrollment in 2021 being 15% lower than in 2010.
Among these students, about one-third attend college part-time. This equates to approximately 6.7 million students, including 5.7 million undergraduates and 1 million graduate students. In other words, 36% of undergraduates and 31% of graduates attend college part-time. Part-time students are more likely to be older, and among Americans aged 25 years and older, 37.7% have a bachelor's degree or higher.
The demographic makeup of part-time students is also worth considering. For example, postsecondary attendance among Hispanic or Latino students has skyrocketed in the last 50 years and continues to grow annually. In 2024, this demographic accounted for 21.46% of the college student population, with 80.4% attending public institutions and 66.1% enrolled in 4-year colleges. On the other hand, Pacific Islander students, a demographic that makes up 0.25% of the college student population, have seen a 30.6% decline in attendance relative to 2010.
The decision to attend part-time or full-time may be influenced by various factors, such as cost, labour force participation, and demographic trends. For example, California, the state with the highest number of enrolled college students at 2.487 million, has annual expenses totaling almost $78,000 at Harvey Mudd College for the 2021-2022 academic year. Additionally, students enrolled in 2-year colleges were more likely to be in the labour force than those in 4-year programs (55.5% vs 44.0%), which may impact the number of hours a student can dedicate to their studies.
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21.46% of students identify as Hispanic or Latino.
The number of students attending colleges and universities in the US has fluctuated over the years. In 2022, there were approximately 18.58 million college students in the country, with around 13.49 million enrolled in public colleges and 5.09 million in private colleges. Postsecondary enrollment peaked in 2010 at 21.02 million, with 11.91 million undergraduates and graduate students enrolled full-time. As of fall 2021, there were 15.4 million undergraduates enrolled in degree-granting postsecondary institutions in the US, a 3% decrease from the previous year.
Among these students, 21.46% identify as Hispanic or Latino. This demographic has seen a significant increase in postsecondary attendance over the last few decades, with an 884% increase in attendance relative to 1976. In 2020, 3.7 million Latinos were enrolled in postsecondary education, accounting for a fifth of all students at this level. This increase in enrollment reflects the rapid growth of the Hispanic and Latino population in the US. Despite this progress, relatively small shares of young Hispanics are enrolled in college or have obtained a bachelor's degree. Affordability and the need to support their families are significant factors influencing the educational pursuits of Hispanics and Latinos.
Hispanic and Latino students have also faced challenges in terms of grant allocations and residency patterns. They receive fewer grants from schools and the federal government compared to the overall average among all races and ethnicities. Additionally, a lower percentage of Hispanic and Latino college students live with their parents (27%) compared to White students (43%).
California has the highest number of enrolled college students in the US, with 2.487 million students in 2021, while Alaska has the smallest student population with 22,152 students.
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California has the most enrolled students.
California has the highest number of enrolled college students in the US. As of 2024, the state boasted 2.487 million college students, a 97.8% increase compared to 1970. This number is particularly impressive given that California is one of only three states with more than a million college students, the other two being New York and Texas.
California's dominance in college student enrolment is even more pronounced when compared to less populous states. For instance, Alaska, which has the smallest student population, has 22,152 students enrolled. This is a significantly smaller number than California's enrolment, even though Alaska has seen a 112.7% increase in enrolment since 1970. Wyoming, Montana, and Vermont also have smaller student populations, each with fewer than 50,000 enrolled college students.
California's high enrolment numbers can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the state is home to a large number of higher education institutions, with around 4,000 colleges and universities in total. Additionally, California's large population contributes to its high enrolment numbers, as college enrolment rates generally correlate with a state's population.
Furthermore, California's diverse educational offerings may also be a factor in its high enrolment numbers. The state is home to a range of public and private institutions, with a mix of large research universities and smaller liberal arts colleges. California's public institutions are particularly prominent, with 73.2% of college students attending public colleges nationwide, and an even higher percentage of 74.3% in California.
While California leads in overall enrolment, it is worth noting that other states have seen more significant percentage increases in enrolment rates. For instance, New Hampshire, Utah, and Idaho have witnessed the largest increases in enrolment rates relative to 2010, with growth rates of 184.01%, 56.94%, and 47%, respectively. In contrast, 45 states, including California, experienced a decline in postsecondary enrolment between 2010 and 2024.
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Frequently asked questions
There were approximately 18.58 million college students in the US in 2022, with around 13.49 million enrolled in public colleges and 5.09 million enrolled in private colleges.
In the fall of 2023, 15.2 million students were enrolled in an undergraduate program.
About one-third of enrolled students attend college part-time. There are approximately 6.7 million part-time students, including 5.7 million undergraduates and 1 million graduate students.
