Savanna Hoffman
The number of students at a university can vary greatly depending on the size of the institution and its location. In the US, there are around 4,000 higher education institutions in total, with California having the highest number of enrolled college students at 2.487 million, a 97.8% increase since 1970. The average number of students across 1,190 colleges that reported data to U.S. News was about 6,400. However, this number can be misleading as it includes both graduate and undergraduate students, and the breakdown of these populations can vary significantly between institutions. For example, Harvard University has a combined graduate and undergraduate student population of more than 20,000, but only about 6,600 are undergraduates. The Carnegie Classification of colleges and universities defines colleges as small if they have fewer than 5,000 students, medium if they have between 5,000 and 15,000 students, and large if they have more than 15,000 students. According to this classification, many well-known universities such as Yale, Brown, and Duke are considered medium-sized, while the University of Southern California and New York University are considered large.
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What You'll Learn
College enrolment statistics by state
According to statistics, the average number of students in a US college or university is part of a much larger picture. 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 in private colleges. These figures are projected to remain stable over the next few years.
State-by-State Breakdown
- California: California has the highest number of enrolled college students at 2.487 million, a 97.8% increase relative to 1970.
- New York and Texas: These states have over a million college students enrolled each.
- Alaska: Alaska has the smallest student population with 22,152 students enrolled, although this represents a 112.7% increase relative to 1970.
- Wyoming, Montana, and Vermont: These states each have fewer than 50,000 enrolled college students.
- New Hampshire, Utah, and Idaho: These states have witnessed the largest increases in enrollment rates relative to 2010, with New Hampshire and Utah recording 184.01% and 56.94% growth respectively.
- Iowa and Alaska: These states experienced the largest declines in enrollment since 2010, losing 47% and 42.1% of their student populations, respectively.
- Alabama: Alabama has seen a 10.8% decline in enrollment since 2010, with 294,009 students enrolled.
- Arizona: Enrollment in Arizona has declined by 21.3% since 2010, with 624,719 students currently enrolled.
- Arkansas: Arkansas has seen a 12% decline in enrollment since 2010, with 154,781 students enrolled.
Additional Demographics
Beyond state-specific statistics, college enrollment data reveals further insights:
- Gender: In fall 2024, there were an estimated 8.7 million women and 6.4 million men enrolled in undergraduate programs. About 1.9 million women and 1.1 million men were enrolled in graduate programs. Approximately 1 million students, or 6%, did not disclose their gender.
- Age: About 65% of undergraduate students are aged 18-24, with 10% being 17 or younger, and 16% aged 30 or older.
- Income: Nearly one-third of traditional-aged undergraduate students (30%) hail from the top quintile of wealth by zip code, while only 12% come from the least wealthy neighborhoods.
- Online Learning: The number of undergraduate students enrolled in online courses spiked during the COVID-19 pandemic, and this trend has persisted, with more students enrolled in online programs than in any single state, except Texas and California.
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Undergraduate vs graduate student numbers
The number of students that the average university has varies depending on the type of university, its location, and other factors. In the United States, there are around 4,000 higher education institutions in total, with California having the highest number of enrolled college students. 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.
When it comes to undergraduate vs graduate student numbers, the breakdown differs depending on the type of institution. Public four-year universities enrol the greatest number of college students (7.9 million), followed by public two-year colleges (4.8 million) and private nonprofit four-year colleges (4.1 million). There are around 5.16 million undergraduates who attend private institutions, and approximately 78.4% of them attend nonprofit schools.
In terms of gender breakdown, there are more women than men enrolled in undergraduate programs, with an estimated 8.7 million women and 6.4 million men in Fall 2024. In graduate programs, there are about 1.9 million women and 1.1 million men. Additionally, 61.7% of undergraduates are full-time or full-time equivalent (FTE) students, while graduate students tend to be older, with 57% being under 30.
Undergraduate students are typically pursuing a bachelor's degree and experience a broader scope of study. They lay the groundwork in their chosen fields and may take general education courses ranging from the social sciences to the life sciences. Graduate students, on the other hand, build upon this foundation and focus on specialised fields. They contribute new insights to their field through original research, often working towards a master's or doctoral degree.
While specific numbers for graduate and undergraduate student counts in every university are not readily available, it is evident that the average university in the United States has a substantial number of students, with the type of institution and location playing a significant role in enrolment figures.
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Gender breakdown of students
While I am unable to find the average number of students an average university has, I can provide a gender breakdown of students across colleges in the US.
Women outnumber men in college and have done so since 1979. In the fall of 2024, there were an estimated 8.7 million women and 6.4 million men enrolled in undergraduate programs. In graduate programs, there were 1.9 million women and 1.1 million men. Six percent of college students (around 1 million) did not disclose their gender.
In 2022, there were 6.57 million male students enrolled in degree-granting postsecondary institutions as undergraduates, compared to 8.82 million female undergraduate students. By 2031, these figures are projected to increase to 7.12 million and 9.7 million, respectively.
Among all postsecondary students, graduate and undergraduate, 42.1% are male and 57.9% are female. In 1970, 41.2% of college students were female, up from 29.0% in 1949. 34.2% of American males aged 18 to 24 years are enrolled in college or graduate school, compared to 43.8% of American females of the same age.
Among first-time, full-time bachelor’s degree-seekers, females are 32.3% more likely to complete their degree at the first institution they enrolled in and within six years compared to men. 58.5% of bachelor’s degrees are conferred to females. 62.6% of associate’s degrees and 62.8% of master’s degrees are conferred to women.
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Student demographics
Gender
Historically, the gender demographics of colleges and universities have changed over time. In 1949, only 29% of college students were female, but by 1970, this number had increased to 41.2%. Since 1979, women have outnumbered men in college. In fall 2024, there were approximately 8.7 million women and 6.4 million men enrolled in undergraduate programs. Additionally, about 1.9 million women and 1.1 million men were enrolled in graduate programs. It is worth noting that around 6% of college students (roughly 1 million) did not disclose their gender, and transgender, nonbinary, and intersex students are not included in the binary breakdown of male and female students.
Race and Ethnicity
According to NSCRC estimates, there is no single racial majority in college enrollments. However, white students constitute the largest racial or ethnic group, comprising 40% of undergraduates and 41% of graduates. The increasing diversity of colleges and universities has been linked to positive student outcomes. Unfortunately, the passage of anti-diversity, equity, and inclusion legislation in several states threatens scholarships, research institutes, and student resources that promote diversity.
Age
The age distribution of college students varies, with about 65% of undergraduates falling within the traditional age range of 18-24 years old. About 10% of undergraduates are 17 or younger, often including dual-enrollment students who take high school and college classes simultaneously. Interestingly, 16% of undergraduates (approximately 2.6 million) are aged 30 or older, showcasing a diverse range of ages among the student population.
Socioeconomic Status
Geographic Location
The geographic distribution of college students varies across different states. California has the highest number of enrolled college students, with 2.487 million, followed by New York and Texas as the only other states with over a million college students. On the other hand, Alaska has the smallest student population, with 22,152 students, while Wyoming, Montana, and Vermont have fewer than 50,000 enrolled college students each.
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Small, medium, and large colleges
The size of a college can significantly impact your college experience. Colleges can vary in size from a few hundred students to tens of thousands. The Carnegie Classification categorises colleges as "very small", "small", "medium", or "large".
Small colleges typically have fewer than 5,000 students, although some sources put this number at 3,000. They are often private institutions, but there are some small public colleges, such as SUNY Geneseo and Delaware State University. Small colleges offer benefits such as small class sizes, personal relationships with professors, and close-knit communities. However, they may have fewer extracurricular activities and limited academic offerings.
Medium-sized colleges usually have between 5,000 and 15,000 students, although some sources state that medium colleges have between 3,000 and 9,999 students. Many medium-sized colleges offer a mix of public and private institutions. These colleges can provide a balance between the benefits of small and large colleges. They often have a wide variety of clubs and activities, as well as advanced resources and research opportunities.
Large colleges typically have more than 15,000 students. They are more likely to have a diverse range of majors, research facilities, graduate schools, well-known faculty, and Division I sports teams. Large colleges can connect students with a vast alumni network. However, it may be easier to get lost in the mix, and it might be more challenging to get support from professors and staff.
The choice between a small, medium, or large college depends on individual preferences and needs. Each size has its advantages and disadvantages, and it is essential to consider factors such as campus size, academic goals, and social opportunities when deciding which college is the best fit.
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Frequently asked questions
The average university student population size varies depending on whether it is a public or private institution, and whether it is a small, medium, or large university. Private colleges are typically considered small with fewer than 5,000 students, while public universities are larger due to government funding and more programs. The average headcount across 1,190 colleges that reported data to U.S. News was about 6,400. However, this average can be misleading as some universities have much larger student populations.
According to the Carnegie Classification of colleges and universities, colleges considered "small" have fewer than 5,000 students. Examples of small private colleges include Colgate, Grinnell, and Reed, while SUNY Geneseo and Delaware State University are small public colleges.
Medium-sized universities typically have a student population of between 5,000 and 15,000 students. Examples of medium-sized universities include Yale, Brown, Howard, Duke, and the University of Arkansas.
A large university typically has more than 15,000 students. Examples of large private universities include the University of Southern California, New York University, and the University of Pennsylvania. Examples of large public universities include UCLA, Michigan State, and the University of Texas at Austin.
California has the highest number of enrolled college students at 2.487 million, a 97.8% increase relative to 1970.
