University Graduates: Annual Numbers And Trends

Higher education is an increasingly popular pursuit, with a growing number of people across the globe choosing to attend university. In the UK, there were over 2.94 million students at universities as of 2023, with 2,937,155 students studying at UK higher education providers in 2022-23. The number of universities in the UK has also increased in line with student numbers, with 288 higher education institutions in operation as of 2022.

In terms of annual graduates, it is difficult to give an exact figure as data is often reported with a delay. However, one source estimates that around 300,000 people graduate with a Bachelor's degree in the UK each year, while another source states that 4.11 million students graduated in 2022, a figure that includes both undergraduate and postgraduate students.

How many students graduate from UK universities each year?

The number of students graduating from UK universities each year is difficult to pinpoint, as it depends on the time frame and the specific institutions in question. However, we can look at some recent statistics to get an idea.

According to the House of Commons Library, in the academic year 2022/23, there were approximately 2.94 million students enrolled in UK higher education institutions. This number had increased from previous years and included both full-time and part-time students. The Open University, which focuses on remote learning, had the highest number of students enrolled with 151,840, followed by University College London and the University of Manchester.

In terms of applications, UCAS reported around 757,000 applications for full-time undergraduate places in 2023, with just over 550,000 applicants being accepted. The number of applicants has fluctuated over the years, with a dip in 2012 due to reforms, but overall showing an upward trend.

When it comes to the number of graduates, the Office for National Statistics reported that there were 14 million graduates in the UK in the quarter from July to September 2017. This number had been steadily increasing over the past decade. However, this figure includes all graduates in the UK, not just those who graduated in a single year.

To get a more precise number for the annual graduates, we can look at the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) statistics. HESA recorded 666,815 overseas students graduating in the 2018/19 academic year. This number only includes students studying within the UK and excludes those engaged in distance learning or transnational education programs overseas.

So, while we don't have an exact number for the annual graduates from all UK universities, we can estimate it to be in the hundreds of thousands based on the number of enrollments and applications.

How many students graduate from US universities each year?

The number of students graduating from US universities each year is difficult to pinpoint exactly, as it depends on a variety of factors, including the type of degree, the type of university, and the demographic makeup of the student body. However, we can look at some statistics that give us an estimate.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), in 2022, there were:

• 2,015,040 graduates with bachelor's degrees
• 1,008,290 graduates with associate's degrees
• 880,250 graduates with master's degrees
• 203,880 graduates with doctorates or professional degrees

This adds up to a total of around 4.1 million college graduates in the US in 2022. It's worth noting that the total number of graduates has been increasing at an annual rate of 1% over the last decade.

When looking at graduation rates, the NCES reports that around 64% of first-time, full-time undergraduate students who started a bachelor's degree in 2014 graduated within six years. This rate varies depending on the type of institution, with 63% graduating from public institutions, 68% from private nonprofit institutions, and 29% from private for-profit institutions.

College enrollment statistics provide additional context, showing us how many students are in a position to graduate. In fall 2023, there were about 18.1 million students enrolled in degree-granting colleges and universities in the US. Of these, about 15.2 million were undergraduate students, and around 3.1 million were graduate students.

Demographic factors also play a role in graduation rates. According to the Pew Research Center, women are now more likely than men to graduate from college. In 2021, 39% of women aged 25 and older had a bachelor's degree or more, compared to 37% of men in the same age group. Additionally, there are racial and ethnic differences, with higher education attainment among Asian Americans (61%), White adults (42%), Black adults (28%), and Hispanic adults (21%) in 2021.

How many students graduate with a bachelor's degree each year?

In 2020, the overall 6-year graduation rate for first-time, full-time undergraduate students who began seeking a bachelor's degree at 4-year degree-granting institutions in fall 2014 was 64%. By 2020, some 64% of students had completed a bachelor's degree at the same institution where they started in 2014. The 6-year graduation rate was 63% at public institutions, 68% at private nonprofit institutions, and 29% at private for-profit institutions. The overall 6-year graduation rate was 60% for males and 67% for females.

In 2022, 2,015,040 bachelor's degrees were conferred, down 2.49% from the previous year. Bachelor's degrees are the most sought-after qualification, with 2.02 million conferred in 2022. 49.1% of all college graduates earn bachelor's degrees, and 22.3% of bachelor's degree earners take more than four years to complete their program.

In 2021, 37.9% of adults aged 25 and older held a bachelor's degree, including 14.3% who also obtained a graduate or professional degree. This is an increase of 7.5% from 2011, when the figure was 30.4%.

Business is the most common bachelor's degree, with about a fifth (19%) of the roughly 2 million bachelor's degrees conferred in 2019-2020 in this field. Health professions and related programs were the second most popular field, making up 12.6% of degrees conferred that year.

The graduation rate for students obtaining an undergraduate degree varies depending on the type of institution. For example, the overall 6-year graduation rate for first-time, full-time undergraduate students at 4-year institutions was 64% in 2020, while the graduation rate for students at 2-year institutions was 34% within 150% of the normal time required for completion of these programs.

How many students graduate with a master's degree each year?

In the US, 880,250 students graduated with a master's degree in the academic year 2021/22. This figure is projected to increase to 1,000,460 by the academic year 2031/32.

Between 2011/12 and 2021/22, the total number of master's degrees conferred increased by 16%, from 756,000 to 880,200. In 2021/22, 69% of master's degrees were concentrated in five fields of study: business (23%), education (17%), health professions and related programs (17%), computer and information sciences and support services (6%), and public administration and social services (6%).

The number of master's degrees conferred varies by field of study and demographic group. For example, the number of master's degrees conferred in education was 15% lower in 2021/22 than in 2011/12, while the number conferred in computer and information sciences and support services increased by 145% during the same period. Asian students were most likely to graduate with a master's degree in a STEM field (26%), followed by students of two or more races (14%), and White students (11%).

How many students graduate with a doctorate each year?

In the US, around 200,000 students graduate with a doctorate each year. In the academic year 2021-22, 203,900 doctorates were awarded, a 20% increase on a decade earlier.

Doctorate degree statistics

Doctorate degrees represent the pinnacle of academic achievement, with roots in medieval Europe. Today, they are most commonly awarded in the fields of health, law, education and engineering.

Who earns a doctorate?

Doctorates are more common among men than women, with 2.5% of men in the US holding a PhD compared to 2% of women. However, the number of women earning doctorates is increasing, with a 93.1% increase in female students earning doctorates from 2000-01 to 2020-21.

Benefits of a doctorate

There are many benefits to obtaining a doctorate, including enhanced career prospects, higher earning potential, and improved critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Doctorate holders also have some of the lowest unemployment rates.

Online vs traditional doctoral degrees

Online doctoral programs are becoming increasingly popular, offering flexibility and lower tuition costs. However, traditional programs may offer more networking opportunities.

Frequently asked questions