Lori Meadows
The number of undergraduate and graduate students in colleges and universities worldwide is difficult to pinpoint exactly, as data is often limited to specific countries and regions. However, it is clear that there has been a notable increase in the number of students pursuing higher education globally. In the US, for example, college enrollment totaled 19.28 million undergraduate students in Fall 2024, with projections of a slight increase for Fall 2025. Of these students, 82.9% were undergraduates, while the remaining 17.1% were in graduate programs. The gender distribution among US college students has also shifted over time, with females now representing 57.3% of undergraduates and 57.9% of all postsecondary students. Internationally, the number of degree-holders is projected to reach 300 million by 2030, indicating a significant expansion of higher education worldwide.
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What You'll Learn
- Undergraduate enrollment in US universities in 2022/23 was 20.3 million
- Undergraduate enrollment is projected to increase by 9% between 2021 and 2031
- million students attend college part-time, including 5.7 million undergraduates
- % of undergraduates are aged 18-24, 10% are 17 or younger, and 16% are 30 or older
- The number of female college attendees has doubled since 1976
Undergraduate enrollment in US universities in 2022/23 was 20.3 million
In fall 2021, total undergraduate enrollment was 15.4 million, 3% lower than in fall 2020, and 15% lower than in fall 2010. Undergraduate enrollment was particularly impacted by the pandemic, with a 42% decline between 2020 and 2021. Male enrollment saw its largest single-year decline in 2020, falling by 7%, while female enrollment saw its largest single-year decline in 2021, falling by 3%. Overall, male enrollment decreased by 17% between 2010 and 2021, and female enrollment decreased by 13%.
Despite the downward trend, it is projected that undergraduate enrollment will increase by 9% between 2021 and 2031. In fall 2024, an estimated 8.7 million women and 6.4 million men were enrolled in undergraduate programs. In 2022, 62% of recent high school graduates enrolled in college, the lowest rate in over 20 years. Of these, 57.2% of male graduates and 66% of female graduates immediately enrolled in college.
In addition to undergraduate enrollment, 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. California had the highest number of enrolled college students at 2.487 million, with New York and Texas being the only other states with over a million college students.
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Undergraduate enrollment is projected to increase by 9% between 2021 and 2031
Undergraduate enrollment in US colleges and universities has been on a downward trajectory since 2010. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated this decline, with total undergraduate enrollment in fall 2021 being 15% lower than in 2010. In absolute numbers, 15.4 million students enrolled in undergraduate programs in 2021, compared to 15.9 million in 2020 and 17.6 million in 2010.
However, undergraduate enrollment is expected to increase in the coming years. Between 2021 and 2031, undergraduate enrollment is projected to rise by 9%. This increase equates to a rise in student numbers from 15.4 million to 16.8 million. This projected increase in undergraduate enrollment is likely driven by a predicted rise in both female and male enrollment, with female enrollment expected to increase by 9% to 9.7 million and male enrollment projected to rise by 9% to 7.1 million.
The projected increase in undergraduate enrollment is also reflected in the rise in first-year student enrollments. In fall 2024, first-year student enrollment was up by 5.5% compared to the previous year. This increase was more pronounced among older first-year students, with enrollment gains of 16.7% for students aged 21-24 and 19.7% for those aged 25 and older.
In addition to the overall increase in undergraduate enrollment, there are expected to be shifts in enrollment patterns across different types of institutions. Enrollment in four-year colleges is projected to increase by 7%, while enrollment in two-year colleges may see a more significant rise of 12%. This trend suggests that two-year colleges may become an increasingly attractive option for students.
The anticipated increase in undergraduate enrollment is set against a backdrop of historical trends in college enrollment. Between 1970 and 2010, college enrollment in the US rose steadily. However, from 2010 onwards, enrollment numbers started to decline gradually, and this decline accelerated after 2020, coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the recent downward trend, the projected 9% increase in undergraduate enrollment between 2021 and 2031 suggests a potential shift towards renewed growth in college enrollment in the coming years.
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6.7 million students attend college part-time, including 5.7 million undergraduates
Part-time student enrollment in colleges and universities is a significant aspect of the higher education landscape. In recent years, approximately 6.7 million students have chosen to pursue their academic goals on a part-time basis, with a breakdown of 5.7 million undergraduates and around 1 million graduate students. This part-time student population plays a crucial role in shaping the dynamics of higher education and contributes to the diverse fabric of the student community.
The choice to attend college part-time is often influenced by various factors and individual circumstances. Some students opt for part-time enrollment due to financial considerations, allowing them to balance the demands of employment and education. Others may have personal commitments, such as family responsibilities or caregiving, that necessitate a more flexible academic schedule. Additionally, for those exploring academic interests or seeking personal enrichment, part-time enrollment can provide a more manageable entry point into the world of higher learning.
The population of part-time students brings a unique set of perspectives and experiences to the classroom. They often juggle multiple roles and responsibilities outside of their academic pursuits, contributing to a rich exchange of ideas and a broader range of viewpoints. This diversity of experiences can enhance the learning environment and foster a more inclusive atmosphere, benefiting both part-time and full-time students alike.
The presence of a substantial part-time student population also underscores the importance of accessibility and flexibility in higher education. Colleges and universities have increasingly recognized the need to accommodate diverse student bodies, leading to the development of more adaptable academic programs and support services. This includes the expansion of online learning options, evening or weekend classes, and alternative course formats that cater to the unique needs and schedules of part-time students.
The impact of part-time enrollment extends beyond the classroom as well. Part-time students often engage in extracurricular activities, contribute to campus life, and participate in community initiatives. They bring their unique backgrounds and insights to these endeavors, enriching the overall student experience. Additionally, the presence of a significant part-time student population can influence the social dynamics on campus, fostering a more diverse and intergenerational community that reflects the broader societal context.
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65% of undergraduates are aged 18-24, 10% are 17 or younger, and 16% are 30 or older
The number of undergraduate and graduate students in colleges and universities varies depending on the region and the institution. In the United States, undergraduate enrollment in degree-granting postsecondary institutions was 15.4 million in fall 2021, a 3% decrease from the previous year. This figure includes a wide range of students from different age groups and backgrounds.
When considering the age distribution of undergraduates, it is found that 65% of them are aged between 18 and 24. This means that the majority of undergraduates fall within the range of traditional college-going age. However, it is worth noting that this group also includes many dual-enrollment students who are taking both high school and college classes simultaneously.
At the younger end of the spectrum, about 10% of undergraduates are 17 or younger. This group may consist of accelerated learners or students who have skipped grades, allowing them to enter college at a younger age.
On the other hand, 16% of undergraduates, approximately 2.6 million students, are aged 30 or older. This group of non-traditional students may include those who returned to school after a gap, career changers, or individuals pursuing higher education later in life.
The graduate student population generally trends older than undergraduates. While the majority (57%) of graduate students are under 30, there is still a significant portion who are in the older age bracket. This diversity in ages among both undergraduate and graduate students contributes to the varied and dynamic nature of the student bodies in colleges and universities.
In terms of enrollment numbers, undergraduate enrollment can vary greatly between institutions. Public colleges and universities tend to enroll more students than private institutions. For instance, Arizona State University enrolled nearly 65,200 undergraduate students in the fall of 2023, while California State University-Fullerton had a smaller student body of about 37,000.
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The number of female college attendees has doubled since 1976
In the Fall of 2024, there were a total of 19.28 million undergraduate students enrolled in college nationwide. This figure is down 8.43% from the peak enrollment of 21 million in 2010. Projections indicate a slight increase in enrollment for Fall 2025, with an estimated 19.57 million undergraduates. Of these students, 82.9% are undergraduates, and the remaining 17.1% are enrolled in graduate programs.
The shift in college enrollment over the past half-century is also evident in the changing gender distribution. In 1970, men accounted for 58% of total enrollment, while women made up 42%. By 2025, men's share of enrollment is estimated to drop to 43%, while women's share is expected to reach 57%. This shift is also reflected in the breakdown of undergraduate enrollment for Fall 2021, where female students constituted 58% (8.9 million) and male students made up 42% (6.5 million).
While the number of female college attendees has increased significantly, it is worth noting that overall college enrollment rates have been declining in recent years. Since its peak in 2010, there has been an 11.6% decline in enrollment among new high school graduates. This decrease is attributed to various factors, including the rising cost of higher education and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this general downward trend, the increasing number of female college attendees is a notable shift in higher education demographics.
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Frequently asked questions
In Fall 2024, 19.28 million students enrolled in colleges and universities as undergraduates, while 3.3 million enrolled in graduate programs.
Enrollment peaked in 2010 at 21 million. Since then, there has been a downward trend, with a sharp decline during the pandemic. However, enrollment numbers are projected to increase by 2031.
In Fall 2024, 15% of undergraduates enrolled in 2-year colleges, while 74.9% enrolled in 4-year colleges.
In Fall 2021, 15.4 million students enrolled in colleges and universities as undergraduates, while 3.8 million enrolled in graduate programs.
