State University Student Numbers: How Many?

The number of students enrolled in US colleges and universities has been decreasing since 2010, with a 7% decline in undergraduate students from 2019 to 2022. In the 2022-2023 academic year, there were around 20.3 million undergraduate students enrolled in the US, a slight decrease from the previous year. This number includes students enrolled in both public and private institutions. Public flagship universities account for a large portion of undergraduate enrollment, with about 2.6 million students or 10.9% of all undergraduates in the 2014-2015 academic year. These universities have a mission to provide affordable quality education and serve as engines of social mobility for talented, low-income students. However, there are concerns about increasing out-of-state enrollment at these universities, which can crowd out in-state students and change the social and academic climate.

Undergraduate enrollment in US universities 2011-2023

Undergraduate enrollment in US universities has seen a general decline since its peak in 2010. In the 2022-2023 academic year, there were 20.3 million undergraduate students enrolled in US universities, down from 20.4 million the previous year.

In 2022, there were 18.58 million college students in the US, with 13.49 million enrolled in public colleges and 5.09 million enrolled in private colleges. This is a decrease from 2019, when there were 15.397 million undergraduate students enrolled.

Since 2010, enrollment has declined by 11.61%. This is partly due to the declining birth rate in the US, which means colleges compete for fewer undergraduate students. The COVID-19 pandemic has also contributed to the decline, with some colleges, such as Mills College in California, closing due to financial struggles.

Despite the overall decline, undergraduate enrollment in US universities remains high, with millions of students continuing to pursue higher education each year.

Public vs private institutions

Public and private institutions differ in several ways, including funding sources, tuition fees, student demographics, and academic focus. In the United States, public universities receive funding from state governments, while private universities rely primarily on tuition fees, donations, and endowments. As a result, public universities often have lower tuition fees for in-state students, making them more accessible to a wider range of students.

Public universities are generally larger in terms of student population and offer a broader range of academic programs. They also tend to have a more diverse student body, including a higher percentage of in-state students and a significant number of international students. Public universities are often seen as "engines of social mobility," providing opportunities for talented low-income students to access higher education. However, there is a growing concern that some public universities are prioritising revenue generation and academic prestige by attracting out-of-state and international students who pay higher tuition fees. This shift in focus can lead to a decline in the number of low-income and minority students at these institutions.

On the other hand, private universities typically have smaller student populations and offer a more specialised range of academic programs. They often have higher tuition fees and may provide more generous financial aid packages to attract talented students. Private universities are sometimes perceived as elite institutions that cater to affluent students and offer access to prestigious social and professional networks. However, it is important to note that private universities enrol a relatively small share of undergraduates in the United States compared to public universities.

The choice between a public and private institution depends on various factors, including a student's financial situation, academic goals, and personal preferences. Public universities may be more suitable for students seeking a diverse educational experience, a wider range of academic programs, and lower tuition fees (especially for in-state residents). Private universities, on the other hand, may appeal to students seeking a more intimate learning environment, specialised programs, and potential access to elite social and professional networks. Ultimately, both types of institutions play a significant role in higher education, offering unique opportunities and experiences to students.

State with the highest number of enrolled students

California has the highest number of enrolled college students in the USA, with 2.487 million students as of 2022. This number represents a 97.8% increase relative to 1970. New York and Texas are the only other states with more than a million college students enrolled.

California is also the state with the most higher education institutions in total, at around 4,000.

In the 2022-2023 academic year, 1,057,188 enrolled students in US colleges were foreign-born.

The number of enrolled college students in the US has been declining since 2010, when it peaked at 21.02 million. As of 2022, there were approximately 18.58 million college students in the US, with around 13.49 million enrolled in public colleges and 5.09 million in private colleges.

The ten largest public university campuses by enrollment during the 2022-2023 academic year were:

• Arizona State University
• Texas A&M University
• College Station, Texas
• New Brunswick, New Jersey
• University of Central Florida
• University of Florida
• Gainesville, Florida
• Ohio State University
• University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
• Urbana/Champaign, Illinois

The impact of state funding cuts

State funding cuts have had a profound impact on public colleges and universities, with many institutions forced to increase tuition fees, reduce faculty numbers, cut courses, and even close campuses. These cuts have made it harder for students to enrol and graduate, and have disproportionately affected low-income students and students of colour, who are more likely to be deterred by rising tuition fees.

Tuition fees

State funding cuts have contributed to significant increases in tuition fees at public colleges and universities. Since the 2008 school year, average annual published tuition fees have risen by $2,651, or 36%. In some states, the increase has been even more dramatic. In Louisiana, for example, tuition fees at four-year public colleges have doubled since 2008, while in Arizona, they have increased by 91.3%.

These increases have accelerated a longer-term trend of colleges becoming less affordable, with the price of attending a four-year public college growing faster than the median income over the last 20 years. As a result, students and their families are having to shoulder more of the cost of higher education, and many are being saddled with onerous debt. This is especially true for low-income students and students of colour, who are less likely to be able to afford rising tuition fees.

Access and diversity

Rising tuition fees have made it harder for students to enrol and graduate, and this has had a disproportionate impact on low-income students and students of colour. Research shows that college price increases result in declining enrolment, with tuition hikes deterring prospective students and preventing further enrolment gains. Tuition increases have also been found to reduce campus diversity, with a $1,000 increase in tuition costs associated with a 4.5% drop in class diversity at non-selective institutions.

Low-income students are particularly affected by college cost increases. States with the largest tuition increases during the 1980s and 1990s saw the biggest widening of the gaps in enrolment between high- and low-income youth. Low-income families may also be less aware of the financial aid available, as they tend to have less access to information about the admissions and financial aid processes.

Academic opportunities and student services

Public colleges and universities have also been forced to reduce academic opportunities and student services due to state funding cuts. Many institutions have cut faculty positions, eliminated courses, and reduced student services. This has had a negative impact on the quality of higher education and the support available to students, particularly those from low-income and non-traditional backgrounds.

State responses

In response to state funding cuts, public colleges and universities have sought to attract more out-of-state students, who are charged higher tuition fees. However, this has led to a decline in the number of in-state students, particularly at prestigious public flagship universities. It has also changed the social and academic climate at these institutions, making high-achieving, low-income students feel unwelcome.

To address the issue of state funding cuts, some states have implemented performance-based funding models that link public funding to metrics such as graduation rates. However, these models have been criticised for disadvantaging low-income students and not positively affecting degree completion.

The effect of out-of-state enrollment

Public flagship universities have long been the dominant "engines of social mobility" for high-achieving, low-income students. However, many of these institutions are now abandoning their historical commitment to access for talented moderate- and low-income students, instead prioritising affluent out-of-state students who are charged higher tuition fees.

The impact on students

The shift in focus has a number of negative consequences for students. Firstly, it results in a decline in the share of moderate- and low-income students, making those students feel more isolated on campus. Secondly, at prestigious public flagship universities, the increase in out-of-state enrollment crowds out in-state enrollment. Thirdly, at less prestigious public flagship universities, the focus on out-of-state enrollment results in a change in the social and academic climate, making high-achieving, low-income students feel unwelcome and socially excluded.

The impact on universities

The shift in focus also has consequences for universities. Firstly, it changes the socioeconomic and racial composition of the student body, with out-of-state students tending to be richer, more likely to have parents with a bachelor's degree, and more likely to be white or Asian. Secondly, it affects the academic performance of the university, with out-of-state students tending to have higher SAT/ACT scores but lower high school GPAs, and higher dropout rates than in-state students.

State funding cuts have meant that public universities have had to become more dependent on net-tuition revenue. As state policy controls often limit the growth of resident tuition price, public universities have an incentive to grow non-resident enrollment in order to grow tuition revenue.

Public flagship universities use a variety of strategies to attract out-of-state students. These include:

• Providing merit aid: offering institutional grant aid to out-of-state students, packaged as "merit" scholarships.
• Aggressive marketing and recruitment: paying for the contact information of test-takers who satisfy certain criteria, and hiring marketing firms to identify and target "prospects".
• Resort-like amenities: investing in luxury apartments, spas, gyms, and pools to attract affluent, out-of-state students.

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