Universities With The Largest Student Populations Globally

The size of a university's student population is an important factor to consider when evaluating its overall scale and influence. Large universities with high enrollment numbers contribute to diverse and vibrant campus life, offering a wide range of academic programs and extracurricular activities. They attract students from various cultural backgrounds, creating a multicultural community that enriches the learning experience. In the United States, universities with the largest student populations include Arizona State University, Texas A&M University, New York University, and the University of Southern California. These institutions often have a significant economic impact on their surrounding communities, influencing the local economy and shaping the lives of their students. Globally, the concept of university size becomes more complex when considering universities with multiple campuses and online learning, which allows student bodies to stretch worldwide.

Arizona State University: 80,000+ students

Arizona State University, also known as ASU, is a public research university located in Tempe, Arizona. Founded in 1885 as the Territorial Normal School, ASU is one of the largest public universities by enrolment in the United States, with over 80,000 students across its various campuses and online programs. The university offers a wide range of academic programs and extracurricular activities to its large student population, contributing to a vibrant and diverse campus life.

ASU's student body includes a significant number of veteran and military-affiliated students, with more than 18,000 enrolled for the fall 2024 semester. The university also has a large international student population, with over 10,000 students representing more than 150 nations. In 2022, ASU was designated a Hispanic-serving institution by the United States Department of Education, recognising that Hispanic students comprised over 25% of the undergraduate enrollment.

ASU's main campus is located in Tempe, Arizona, but the university has a presence in multiple locations throughout the state. In total, ASU consists of four physical campuses and four regional learning centres across Arizona. The university's campuses offer a range of facilities and resources for students, including dormitories, recreational facilities, and research centres. ASU's campus life is characterised by a strong sense of community and a variety of student organisations and traditions, such as the Residence Hall Association (RHA) and the "guarding of the 'A'" before athletic events.

ASU is recognised for its academic excellence and innovation, consistently ranking highly in measurements of student success and groundbreaking research. The university is known for its collaboration with NASA in space exploration and its top-ranked online bachelor's programs and graduate degree offerings. ASU's research expenditures have grown significantly, with the university investing heavily in inventions and licensing deals, as well as startups that have generated billions in economic output for Arizona.

With its large student population, ASU has a significant impact on its surrounding communities and the state of Arizona. The university generates income through tuition fees, research grants, and other funding sources, contributing to the local and state economy. ASU's graduates also play a crucial role in the state's workforce, with hundreds of thousands of alumni working and paying taxes in Arizona. Overall, ASU's combination of a large student population and academic excellence makes it a prominent and influential institution in the United States.

Texas A&M University: 68,367 students

Texas A&M University, founded in 1876, is a public institution with a large student population. As of the fall semester of 2021, the university enrolled approximately 72,982 students, making it the largest university in the United States at the time. The student body is diverse, with students from all 50 states and over 120 countries, with Texas residents accounting for 86.27% and international students making up 7.42%. The gender distribution is relatively balanced, with 52.9% male and 47.1% female students, and members of ethnic minority groups comprising 42.2% of the student population.

Texas A&M's main campus has been located in College Station, Texas, since its founding. The campus spans 5,200 acres and includes buildings for various academic disciplines, such as engineering, architecture, geosciences, science, education, and liberal arts. The campus also houses dormitories, dining centres, and support facilities. The university maintains a strong presence in the surrounding community, with a significant economic impact through tuition fees, research grants, and other funding sources.

The university offers a wide range of academic programs, with over 140 undergraduate and 270 graduate programs across 17 academic colleges. This breadth of offerings provides students with diverse educational opportunities. Additionally, Texas A&M boasts over 1,000 student organizations, catering to various interests, including academic, service, religious, social, and common interest groups. The university also hosts 58 nationally or internationally recognised Greek Letter Organisations (GLOs), with about 10% of the undergraduate population affiliated with a GLO fraternity or sorority.

Texas A&M's large student population contributes to a vibrant and multicultural community on campus. The university's size allows for a diverse range of extracurricular activities, enhancing the overall student experience. The Fightin' Texas Aggie Band, the nation's largest precision military marching band, is one notable example of the university's student organisations. The band performs at university functions and presents halftime shows at football games, with complex drills that showcase their precision and skill.

Texas A&M's extensive alumni network, known as the Aggie Network, connects former students worldwide. This network fosters a sense of community and provides opportunities for ongoing involvement, service, and social connections. The university takes pride in its student body and alumni, with notable graduates including mechanical engineer Holly Ridings, the first female chief flight director at NASA, and Phyllis Frye, the first transgender judge in the United States.

University of Central Florida: 68,000+ students

The University of Central Florida (UCF) is a public research university with a student population of over 68,000. It is one of the largest universities in the United States, offering more than 230 degree programs across 13 colleges. UCF's main campus is located 13 miles east of downtown Orlando and 35 miles west of Cape Canaveral, in unincorporated Orange County, Florida. The university was founded in 1963 and opened its first classes in 1968 as Florida Technological University, with a focus on providing personnel educated in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to support the growing U.S. space program.

UCF has a diverse student body, with nearly half of its students from minority backgrounds. The university offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, including over 650 student organizations and clubs on campus, such as Greek life chapters and intramural sports. The UCF Knights compete at the Division I level and play in the American Athletic Conference. The university also has a strong research focus, generating more than $200 million in sponsored research funding in 2022.

UCF's academic scope has expanded beyond its initial focus on engineering and technology, and it now offers a variety of degree programs. Popular majors include psychology, computer science, and biology. The university is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity" and is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

The university has a rich history and culture, with traditions such as "Spirit Splash," a pep rally held before every homecoming game, and unique mascots, evolving from the Citronaut to the Knights. UCF also has a strong media presence, operating WUCF-FM, an NPR station, and owning WUCF-TV, Central Florida's only Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) television station, which has an estimated viewing population of 4.6 million people.

Ohio State University: 61,170 students

The Ohio State University, also known as Ohio State or OSU, is a public land-grant research university in Columbus, Ohio, with a student population of 61,170 students as of 2024. It is one of the largest universities in the United States by enrolment, with nearly 50,000 undergraduate and 15,000 graduate students. The university consists of sixteen colleges and offers over 400 degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Ohio State was founded in 1870 as the Ohio Agricultural and Mechanical College under the Morrill Act of 1862. It opened its doors to 24 students in 1873, and the first graduating class in 1878 consisted of six men, with the first woman graduating the following year. Over its 150-year history, Ohio State has grown significantly and now boasts a large and diverse student population.

The benefits of a large university extend beyond the individual student experience. Large universities like Ohio State have a significant economic impact on their surrounding communities. They attract a steady stream of income through tuition fees, research grants, donations, and other funding sources. Additionally, the faculty and staff contribute to the local economy by spending their salaries in the community.

Ohio State's large student population also contributes to a vibrant and multicultural community on campus. With students from various cultural backgrounds, the university provides a safe space for cultural exchange and understanding. This exposure to different perspectives enriches the learning experience and prepares students for a diverse world after graduation.

In conclusion, Ohio State University, with its student population of 61,170, exemplifies the advantages of large universities. It offers a wide range of academic programs, enhances the local economy, and fosters a diverse and enriching community for its students.

New York University: 60,000 students

New York University (NYU) is a private research university in New York City, New York, United States. Chartered in 1831 by the New York State Legislature, NYU was founded in 1832 by Albert Gallatin as a non-denominational all-male institution near City Hall. The university has since moved and maintained its main campus in Greenwich Village surrounding Washington Square Park. NYU is one of the largest private universities in the United States by enrolment, with nearly 60,000 students enrolled across over 400 programmes.

NYU's main campus in New York City is organised into ten undergraduate schools, including the College of Arts & Science, Gallatin School, Steinhardt School, Stern School of Business, and Tandon School of Engineering. The university also has an engineering school in Brooklyn's MetroTech Center and graduate schools throughout Manhattan. In 2022, the median undergraduate tuition at NYU was $55,384, which is $25,234 more than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($30,150). After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $29,499.

In 2021, NYU had a total of 51,848 enrolled students, with 51% of undergraduate students receiving financial aid through grants or loans. The university has experienced a significant increase in applications in recent years, with a record-low acceptance rate of 8% in 2023 and 2024. NYU's student population is diverse, with no one ethnic group making up more than 22% of the total number of students admitted to the class of 2023. The university is also selective, with a low acceptance rate, making it a highly sought-after institution for higher education.

The presence of a large university like NYU has a significant impact on its surrounding community and city. The economic impact is one of the most notable contributions, with income generated through tuition fees, research grants, donations, and other funding sources. The university's faculty and staff also contribute to the local economy by spending their salaries in the community. NYU's large student population allows the university to offer a wide range of academic programmes and extracurricular activities, providing students with numerous opportunities to explore their interests and passions.

In conclusion, New York University, with its nearly 60,000 students, is one of the largest private universities in the United States. Its large student population, diverse community, and selective admissions make it a prominent and influential institution in higher education. NYU's main campus in New York City provides students with access to numerous resources and opportunities, contributing to a vibrant and multicultural learning environment.

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