The Attention Challenge: College Students' Focus In Numbers

As of 2022, there were approximately 18.58 million college students in the U.S., with around 13.49 million enrolled in public colleges and 5.09 million enrolled in private colleges. In the same year, the number of students enrolled in colleges worldwide was estimated to be over 200 million.

Undergraduate vs graduate enrollment

Undergraduate Enrollment

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, undergraduate enrollment in the US has been on a downward trajectory since 2010. In fall 2021, there were 15.4 million undergraduate students enrolled in degree-granting postsecondary institutions, a 3% decrease from 2020 and a 15% decrease from 2010. However, it is projected that undergraduate enrollment will increase by 9% between 2021 and 2031.

Of the 15.4 million undergraduate students enrolled in fall 2021:

• 7.8 million were White
• 3.3 million were Hispanic
• 1.9 million were Black
• 1.1 million were Asian
• 663,100 were of Two or more races
• 107,000 were American Indian/Alaska Native
• 41,000 were Pacific Islander

Between 2010 and 2021, undergraduate enrollment decreased for:

• American Indian/Alaska Native students (by 40%)
• Pacific Islander students (by 29%)
• White students (by 28%)
• Black students (by 27%)

During the same period, enrollment increased for:

• Students of Two or more races (by 126%)
• Hispanic students (by 30%)
• Asian students (by 7%)

Graduate Enrollment

In fall 2021, approximately 3.2 million students were enrolled at the postbaccalaureate level in degree-granting institutions in the US. Postbaccalaureate programs include master's and doctoral programs, as well as professional degrees in fields such as law and medicine. Between 2010 and 2019, total postbaccalaureate enrollment increased by 5%, and this trend continued during the pandemic, with a further 5% increase in 2021. By 2031, postbaccalaureate enrollment is projected to increase by 6%.

In fall 2021, female students comprised 61% of total postbaccalaureate enrollment (2 million students), while male students made up 39% (1.2 million students). From 2010 to 2021, female enrollment increased by 14%, while male enrollment saw a smaller increase of 3%.

While undergraduate enrollment has been declining, graduate enrollment has been increasing. This trend is expected to continue, with undergraduate enrollment projected to increase by 9% and postbaccalaureate enrollment projected to increase by 6% between 2021 and 2031.

Undergraduate enrollment still makes up the majority of total enrollment in degree-granting postsecondary institutions, with approximately 15.4 million undergraduate students compared to 3.2 million graduate students in 2021. This difference is expected to narrow slightly by 2031, with projected undergraduate and graduate enrollment numbers of 16.8 million and 3.4 million, respectively.

Male vs female enrollment

In 2021, men received 42% of bachelor's degrees awarded in the United States, the lowest male share on record. This is a significant decline from 1970, when men received 57% of bachelor's degrees. The number of female undergraduates in U.S. colleges now outnumbers men by 2.4 million, with 8.9 million women compared to 6.5 million men. This gap is largely driven by stagnating male enrollment in 4-year colleges.

There are several factors contributing to the gender gap in college enrollment. Firstly, men are less likely to enroll in college immediately after high school. In 2022, 57% of male high school graduates enrolled in college, compared to 66% of female graduates. This gap has widened in recent decades, with the rate of immediate college enrollment for men remaining stagnant. Secondly, overall enrollment rates are also lower for men. Among young adults aged 18-24, men are less likely to be enrolled in college than women across all racial groups. The gap is most pronounced among Hispanic men, who lag behind Hispanic women by 12 percentage points, while Asian students have the smallest gender gap, with men trailing women by 6 percentage points.

The gender gap in college enrollment is also influenced by differences in academic performance between males and females. While boys tend to score slightly higher on standardized tests like the SAT, girls are increasingly outperforming boys in high school. This trend may contribute to the higher female enrollment in college, as they are more competitive in the college admissions process and have greater access to higher-quality schools.

Additionally, the gender gap in college enrollment is driven by the relative financial returns associated with higher education for women. Women who obtain college degrees gain access to careers where they have a comparative advantage, such as office work. On the other hand, men have better access to lucrative careers that don't require a college degree, such as construction work. As a result, the investment in college may seem less appealing to men, contributing to the lower male enrollment rates.

Furthermore, societal expectations and perceptions play a role in the gender enrollment gap. In some communities, college education is viewed as a "feminine" pursuit, and manual labor or blue-collar jobs are considered more masculine. This perception discourages men from pursuing higher education and contributes to the gender imbalance in college enrollment.

To address the gender gap in college enrollment, it is essential to understand the underlying factors contributing to this disparity. Policymakers, administrators, and educators need to develop effective strategies that encourage and support male enrollment in higher education. This may include addressing societal expectations, improving male engagement in education, and ensuring that college programs are designed to appeal to a diverse range of students, including men.

Full-time vs part-time enrollment

When it comes to full-time versus part-time enrollment, there are several factors to consider. These include time commitments, tuition costs, financial aid opportunities, and work and family responsibilities.

Full-Time Enrollment

Full-time enrollment typically requires undergraduates to take a minimum of 12 credits per semester, which is considered a full course load. This usually equates to about four classes, and many students opt to take 15 credits per semester to graduate in four years. This means full-time students devote many hours each week to their academics alone. In the United States, 60.7% of all students, graduate and undergraduate, are enrolled full-time.

Full-time enrollment often results in higher upfront tuition fees and leaves students with less time to work or attend to other obligations. However, it offers a faster path to earning a degree and generally provides more opportunities for financial aid. Enrolling full-time can also positively impact a student's chances of graduating due to higher retention rates.

Part-Time Enrollment

Part-time enrollment typically involves taking 11 or fewer credits per semester. This route can provide more flexibility for students who need to balance work and family obligations. Attending college part-time can help reduce the financial burden, as students often pay per credit and may be eligible for tuition assistance from their employers. However, it takes significantly longer to earn a degree as a part-time student, and there may be challenges in juggling the demands of school and other commitments.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), part-time students made up a large percentage of those enrolled in colleges and universities in the United States. In the fall of 2019, out of the 19.6 million students attending these schools, 7.7 million were part-time students.

Public vs private college enrollment

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. These figures are projected to remain relatively constant over the next few years.

Public colleges, also known as state colleges, are primarily funded by state governments. Private colleges, on the other hand, rely on private donors and endowments for funding and are typically much more expensive. Public colleges usually offer different tuition fees for students based on their state residency, whereas private colleges charge the same tuition fees for all students.

Public colleges tend to have larger student bodies and offer a wider array of degree programs. They also have more research facilities and labs due to their government funding. As a result, public colleges are often preferred by students who are undecided about their major and want to explore a variety of options. Additionally, public colleges typically have larger class sizes, contributing to a greater number of student clubs and campus activities, and a more vibrant social scene.

Private colleges, particularly liberal arts colleges, tend to offer fewer academic majors and have fewer student resources and research facilities. However, they often provide more financial aid and larger tuition discounts. Private colleges are better suited for students who may need extra direction and supervision, as the smaller campus and class sizes allow academic advisors and professors to form close relationships with their students. Students looking for a tighter, more close-knit community may prefer private colleges.

While these are general trends, it is important to note that each college is unique, and it is essential to research specific institutions to determine which type of school is the best fit.

Racial/ethnic enrollment

The racial and ethnic makeup of college campuses has changed over time, becoming less white and more Hispanic. Data from the National Student Clearinghouse, a nonprofit organisation that provides data reporting services to colleges, shows that in 2011, more than 60% of the nation's 20.6 million college students were white. By 2020, the total number of college students had fallen to 17.8 million, and the share of white students had dropped by almost 9 percentage points to 52%. During the same period, the share of Hispanic students grew from 14% to 21%, and the share of Black students remained constant at just under 14%. Asian students increased from 5% to 7% of the college population.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), diversity in college enrollment has increased with each decade. White students made up around 81% of the undergraduate population in 1980, but only 54% in 2020. The Hispanic and Latino/a population increased the most, from 4% in 1980 to just over 20% in 2020, a 408% increase. The Asian and Pacific Islander student population increased from 2.4% in 1980 to nearly 8% in 2020. The Black student population grew from 9% to 13%, while the percentage of Native American/Alaska Native college students within the total student population hovered consistently between 0.7% and 1% from 1990 to 2020.

In the fall of 2023, over 15 million undergraduate students were enrolled in the US. White students made up nearly half of the total undergraduate population at 40.5%. Hispanic and Latino/a students were the second-largest group at 18.3% of the total undergraduate population. Black students made up roughly 11% of the student population, Asian students 6%, and Native American students less than 1%.

The overall college enrollment rate for 18- to 24-year-olds was 39% in 2022, lower than a decade earlier in 2012 (41%). The rate in 2022 was higher for 18- to 24-year-olds who were Asian (61%) than for those who were White (41%), of Two or more races (36%), Black (36%), Hispanic (33%), Pacific Islander (27%), and American Indian/Alaska Native (26%).

From 2000 to 2016, total college enrollment rates increased for White (from 39% to 42%), Black (from 31% to 36%), and Hispanic young adults (from 22% to 39%). The 2016 total college enrollment rate for American Indian/Alaska Native young adults (19%) was not measurably different from their 2000 rate. The rates for Asian young adults (58%), young adults of Two or more races (42%), and Pacific Islander young adults (21%) were not measurably different from the corresponding rates in 2003, when separate data for these groups began.

In 2016, the total college enrollment rate was higher for Asian young adults (58%) than for young adults of Two or more races (42%), White (42%), Hispanic (39%), Black (36%), Pacific Islander (21%), and American Indian/Alaska Native (19%). Enrollment rates in 2016 were also higher for White and Hispanic young adults and those of Two or more races than for Pacific Islander and American Indian/Alaska Native young adults. Additionally, the rate for Black young adults was higher than the rate for American Indian/Alaska Native young adults.

Frequently asked questions