Savanna Hoffman
University education is a popular choice for many, with 19.28 million undergraduate students enrolled in US colleges in Fall 2024. This number has been steadily increasing since 1949, when 29% of college students were female, rising to 41.2% in 1970, and now, as of 2024, 58.5% of bachelor's degrees are awarded to women. In the 2022-2023 academic year, 5.69% of enrolled students (1.06 million) were international. California has the highest number of enrolled college students at 2.487 million, followed by New York and Texas, with Alaska having the smallest student population of 22,152.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of students enrolled in higher education in the UK in 2021/22 | 2.86 million |
| Number of students enrolled in higher education in the UK in 2022/23 | 2.93 million |
| Number of students enrolled in higher education in the US in 2022 | 18.58 million |
| Number of students enrolled in undergraduate programs in the US in 2022 | 15.4 million |
| Number of students enrolled in public colleges in the US in 2022 | 13.49 million |
| Number of students enrolled in private colleges in the US in 2022 | 5.09 million |
| Percentage of high school graduates in the US who go on to postsecondary study | 62% |
| Percentage of college students who are female | 52.3% |
| Number of students who applied through UCAS to an undergraduate course in 2023 | 752,025 |
| Number of overseas students in the UK in 2018/19 | 666,815 |
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What You'll Learn
- Undergraduate vs graduate students: 19.3 million undergrads in 2024
- Gender: 43.8% of 18-24-year-old females enrolled in 2024
- Part-time vs full-time: 36% of undergrads attend part-time
- Public vs private institutions: 73.2% attend public institutions
- State: California has the highest number of enrolled students
Undergraduate vs graduate students: 19.3 million undergrads in 2024
Undergraduate and graduate students make up the vast majority of university students. In this regard, undergraduate students constitute a larger proportion of university students than graduate students. For instance, in the Fall of 2024, there were 19.28 million undergraduate students in the United States, while graduate students made up 17.1% of postsecondary students. This indicates that there were approximately 3.29 million graduate students in the US in 2024.
The number of undergraduate students has decreased since 2010 when peak enrollment was at 21 million. However, projections indicate a slight increase in undergraduate enrollment for Fall 2025, estimated at 19.57 million. In the UK, there were 2,937,155 students studying at higher education providers in 2022-23, although this figure includes both undergraduate and graduate students.
In terms of demographics, 52.3% of college students in the US are White or Caucasian, while 20.3% are Hispanic or Latino. Female representation has increased significantly since 1976, with the number of female college attendees doubling and female students now outnumbering male students. In 2021, 61% of postbaccalaureate students were female, while males made up 39%. In the UK, 752,025 people applied to an undergraduate course through UCAS in 2023.
Enrollment rates among new high school graduates in the US have declined since their peak in 2009, when 70.1% of graduates went on to enroll in college. In 2022, 62% of high school graduates enrolled in postsecondary institutions. Among first-time college students, 82.7% are full-time, while 61.7% of undergraduates are full-time or full-time equivalent students.
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Gender: 43.8% of 18-24-year-old females enrolled in 2024
In the United States, 43.8% of females aged 18 to 24 years are enrolled in college or graduate school. This figure represents a significant increase in female enrollment, which rose by 14% between 2010 and 2021. Male enrollment during the same period only increased by 3%. Notably, female students were 94.1% more likely to immediately matriculate after graduating high school in 2022. This trend is expected to continue, with female enrollment projected to increase by 6% between 2021 and 2031.
A closer look at the data reveals that among first-time, full-time bachelor's degree seekers, females are 32.3% more likely to complete their degrees at the institution they first enrolled in within six years compared to males. This disparity may be influenced by various factors, including societal expectations, cultural norms, and the availability of support systems for female students. Additionally, females are awarded 58.5% of bachelor's degrees, 62.6% of associate's degrees, and 62.8% of master's degrees.
When considering the overall college enrollment rate for 18- to 24-year-olds, it was 39% in 2022. This rate includes undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in 2- or 4-year institutions. In the same year, the college enrollment rate for 18- to 24-year-old females was 44%, while it was 39% for Black females and 64% for Asian females. These rates indicate a higher inclination for females, particularly those from racial minorities, to pursue higher education.
While the provided information focuses on the United States, it is worth noting that the United Kingdom also exhibits a high number of student enrollments in higher education providers. In the 2021/22 academic year, 2.86 million individuals were enrolled in higher education, with 2.62 million of those enrolled at 169 higher education providers reporting statistics. The UK's higher education sector continues to attract a significant number of students, with 2,937,155 students studying at UK higher education providers in 2022/23.
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Part-time vs full-time: 36% of undergrads attend part-time
While there is a wealth of data on student enrolment in higher education, the figures vary depending on the source and the year of measurement. One source indicates that in 2021/22, a total of 2.86 million individuals were enrolled in higher education at various institutions in the UK. However, another source mentions that in 2022/23, there were 2,937,155 students studying at UK higher education providers.
In the US, the numbers differ significantly. 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. Another source mentions that in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the decline in college enrolment for undergraduates, but this picked up again in Fall 2024.
Part-time vs full-time: It is important to distinguish between part-time and full-time student enrolment when discussing college attendance. In the UK, the data suggests that 36% of undergraduates attend part-time. While the percentage of part-time students is not specified for the US, it is known that 82.7% of first-time, first-year college students are full-time. This indicates that a substantial portion of the student body attends part-time.
The enrolment numbers for part-time and full-time students can vary over time and are influenced by various factors, such as the state of the economy, the availability of financial aid, and the demographics of the student population. For example, the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic downturn caused a decline in undergraduate enrolment, but graduate student enrolment was less affected. Additionally, older learners and non-traditional students can help stabilise enrolment numbers, as they are less likely to be impacted by fluctuations in the number of college-aged students in a given year.
In conclusion, while the exact numbers vary depending on the source and the year, it is clear that millions of students are enrolled in higher education in both the UK and the US. Of these, a significant proportion attend part-time, with 36% of UK undergraduates opting for part-time study, and a notable number of part-time students also present in the US.
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Public vs private institutions: 73.2% attend public institutions
The decision to attend a public or private college is a significant one for prospective students. In the US, there were approximately 18.58 million college students in 2022, with around 13.49 million enrolled in public colleges and 5.09 million in private colleges. This indicates that 72.6% of students chose public institutions over private ones.
Public colleges are funded by the government, while private colleges rely on private donors and endowments. Public colleges often have different tuition fees for in-state and out-of-state students, whereas private colleges typically charge the same tuition fees to all students. This can make public colleges more affordable for students studying in their home state.
Enrollment rates among new high school graduates have declined since their peak in 2009, and undergraduate enrollment has been steadily declining since 2010. However, more people attend college today than in the early 2000s and decades prior. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the decline in undergraduate enrollment, but graduate student enrollment was not significantly affected.
Female students are more likely to attend four-year institutions than males, and many students are willing to travel out of state for college. The choice between public and private colleges depends on various factors, including cost, location, program offerings, and personal preferences.
In the UK, there were 2.93 million students studying at higher education providers in 2022-23. While this figure does not distinguish between public and private institutions, it provides a sense of the overall student population in the country.
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State: California has the highest number of enrolled students
California has the highest number of enrolled students in the United States, with 2.487 million students as of 2024. This number represents a 97.8% increase in enrolment relative to 1970. The state's large student population can be attributed to its many colleges and universities, both public and private, that attract students from within and outside the state. California State University in Fullerton, for example, has nearly 37,000 students enrolled, making it one of the state's largest institutions of higher education.
California's higher education system includes a diverse range of institutions, from large public universities like California State University to private colleges such as Liberty University in Virginia. The state's public universities are known for their athletic programs and large lecture halls, while private institutions may offer lower tuition fees, as seen with Liberty University's 2024-2025 school year fees, which were significantly lower than the national average.
California's large and diverse higher education system contributes to its high number of enrolled students. The state's universities and colleges offer a range of academic and extracurricular opportunities that attract students from diverse backgrounds. Additionally, California's reputation as a centre for innovation and economic growth may also contribute to its appeal for students seeking career opportunities after graduation.
The state's large population and economic opportunities make it an attractive destination for students seeking higher education. California's diverse culture and vibrant cities, such as San Francisco and Los Angeles, also contribute to its appeal for students from across the United States and potentially worldwide. Many students are willing to travel out of their home state for their college education, and California's robust higher education system provides a wide range of options for those seeking a variety of academic programmes and experiences.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 2014, there were 207 million students in higher education worldwide.
In the US, 34.2% of males aged 18-24 and 43.8% of females aged 18-24 are enrolled in college or graduate school. This equates to around 7.21% of the adult population.
California has the highest number of enrolled college students in the US, at 2.487 million.
Enrolments in private colleges and universities account for 30% of all global enrolments.
70% of students worldwide attend public universities.
