Janice Lozano
University student populations vary widely, from small, tight-knit campuses of 1,000 students to bustling universities with tens of thousands of students. Large universities attract students from diverse cultural backgrounds, creating a vibrant and multicultural community. They also tend to have extensive research facilities, a wider variety of majors, and a greater number of student organizations. When considering the size of a university, both enrollment and campus area are important factors. While some universities have a high enrollment but a small campus area, others have a smaller student population and a larger, more spacious campus. This distribution of resources can impact the perception of the university's size. With that said, which universities have the biggest student populations?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| University with the biggest student population | Arizona State University and Texas A&M University |
| Number of students | More than 70,000 students |
| Number of undergraduate students | 65,200 |
| Number of graduate students | 14,400 |
| Tuition fees (in-state) | $9,000 - $11,310 |
| Tuition fees (out-of-state) | $31,450 - $36,430 |
| Number of programs | Over 140 undergraduate and 270 graduate programs |
| Campus area | N/A |
| Type of university | Public |
| Location | Tempe, Arizona |
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What You'll Learn
Arizona State University: biggest in-person enrolment
Arizona State University (ASU) is a public research university in Tempe, Arizona. It is one of the largest universities in the United States by in-person enrolment, with over 70,000 students taking classes in person. The university has a total of over 183,000 students, including online learners, and around 142,000 undergraduates and 41,000 postgraduates. ASU offers more than 400 undergraduate degree programs and over 450 graduate degree and certificate programs.
ASU's student population is highly diverse, with 14.3% of its students (over 10,000) being international, representing more than 150 nations. The university also has a significant number of veteran and military-affiliated students, with over 18,000 enrolled for Fall 2024. Additionally, 42% of ASU undergraduates are first-generation college students. The student body is evenly split between female and male undergraduates, and the average age of students is between 18 and 24 years old.
ASU's Tempe campus, known for its athletic programs and large lecture halls, serves approximately 65,200 undergraduates and 14,400 graduate students. The campus offers a wide range of academic programs, including the W. P. Carey School of Business, the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts, the Honors College, and the School of Sustainability. Students at the Tempe campus can easily access nearby metropolitan Phoenix, providing further opportunities for exploration and growth.
ASU's Division I athletic teams are called the Sun Devils, a nickname also used for students and alumni. The Sun Devils compete in 20 to 26 varsity sports in the NCAA Division I as members of the Big 12 Conference. ASU's athletic teams have a history of strong performance and have won numerous championships, including 24 NCAA trophies. The university's commitment to sports is evident in traditions like the "guarding of the 'A'" and "Echo from the Buttes," which bring students together to celebrate their school spirit.
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Texas A&M University: one of the largest universities
Texas A&M University is one of the largest universities in the United States. Located in College Station, Texas, the university offers a wide range of academic and research opportunities to its large student body.
As of the fall semester of 2021, Texas A&M University enrolled 72,982 students, pursuing degrees in 17 academic colleges. The student population is diverse, with students from all 50 U.S. states and over 120 other countries. The university has a slightly higher percentage of male students, with a demographic breakdown of 52.9% male and 47.1% female. Additionally, members of ethnic minority groups comprise a significant portion of the student body, making up 42.2% of the population.
Texas A&M University is known for its rich traditions, strong alumni network, and vibrant campus life. The university has over 1,000 student organizations, covering a range of interests, including academic, service, religious, social, and common interest groups. The Fightin' Texas Aggie Band, the nation's largest precision military marching band, is one of the notable student organizations on campus. The university also has a strong athletic programme, with a prominent football culture and the largest stadium in the Southeastern Conference.
The College Station campus, located in Brazos Valley, is easily accessible from several major cities in the region. The campus is well-equipped, with buildings for various colleges, including engineering, architecture, geosciences, science, education, and liberal arts. The campus also features dormitories, main dining centres, and support facilities. Notable landmarks on the main campus include Kyle Field, Sterling C. Evans Library, and the Bonfire Memorial.
Texas A&M University is a top-tier public research university, recognised for its academic programmes in engineering, business, agriculture, and science. The university provides numerous opportunities for students to engage in extracurricular activities, build connections, and gain valuable experience through job fairs, mentorship programmes, and study abroad opportunities.
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Online colleges: biggest total enrolments
The largest universities by total enrolment are primarily online colleges. Western Governors University, Southern New Hampshire University, and the University of Phoenix are the largest universities by enrolment. These universities are larger than the biggest in-person colleges.
Online colleges generally have a more organised and standardised system of operation. They offer more educational resources and a wider variety of classes and majors to choose from. They also have a larger student body, which means that each class will have more students. This allows students to interact with a wider variety of students in online class discussions.
Online schooling is not for everyone, but it can be very convenient and useful for those who are well-prepared and understand the requirements for success in online learning. Students need to have reliable internet access and be able to own a laptop or computer.
Online colleges are also able to invest in top-notch IT infrastructure and online learning platforms. Professors at online schools are also often better equipped for teaching in online learning environments.
In the 2022-2023 academic year, Liberty University had the most online students of any college, with 88,057. Grand Canyon University was ranked second with 91,557 online students, and the University of Maryland Global Campus was third with 88,057 online students.
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Private universities: smaller than public colleges
Private universities tend to be smaller than public colleges. However, some private schools rival public universities in terms of size. For instance, Arizona State University, the largest college in the US by on-campus and hybrid enrollment, serves over 75,000 students. In comparison, Texas A&M University, the second-largest college, serves nearly 75,000 students.
Public colleges typically have larger class sizes, with less one-on-one interaction between students and professors. Depending on the college, classes can have a few hundred students. Private colleges, on the other hand, have smaller class sizes, fostering a more intimate learning environment. The smaller campus and class sizes allow academic advisors and professors to form close relationships with their students, resulting in more direct guidance and assistance.
Public colleges and universities typically enrol more students than private institutions. For example, Florida International University in Miami enrolled about 44,000 undergraduate students in the fall of 2023, nearly double the population of neighbouring Key West. Texas A&M University, meanwhile, has a student body of almost 60,000, similar to the population of DeSoto, a Dallas suburb.
However, private colleges often charge the same tuition fees regardless of state residency, resulting in a more geographically diverse student body. Public colleges, with their higher acceptance rates and more affordable tuition, tend to be more demographically diverse. Additionally, public colleges usually have larger athletic programs and a wider selection of extracurricular activities due to their larger student bodies.
While private colleges are generally more expensive, they often have more money available for grants and scholarships due to their large endowment funds. They also tend to offer more significant tuition discounts. For instance, private institutions offered a record average of 48% tuition discount to undergraduates for the 2020-2021 academic year. As such, private colleges can sometimes be more affordable than public schools, especially for students who receive substantial financial aid packages.
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Catholic universities: St. John's is the largest
The largest universities in the world tend to be public institutions, which typically enrol more students than private colleges. For example, Arizona State University and Texas A&M University each serve over 70,000 students. However, some private universities rival public institutions in terms of size.
The largest Catholic universities in the United States are St. John's, DePaul, and Georgetown. St. John's University in New York is the largest Catholic college in the country by campus enrolment. DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois, became the largest Catholic university in North America in terms of enrolment in 1998, with around 23,000 students. However, St. John's retains its status as the largest Catholic university by campus enrolment.
There are 1,358 Catholic universities and higher education institutions around the world, according to a Vatican census. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops puts this number at 1,861. The Catholic Church is the largest non-governmental provider of higher education globally. The Society of Jesus, a Catholic religious order, has the highest number of universities worldwide, with 114.
The largest Catholic university in the world is the Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais in Brazil. It was recognised by the Vatican’s education authorities in 2010 as the largest Catholic university, and it was granted pontifical status in 1983. The university was founded by the first Archbishop of Belo Horizonte, Dom Cabral, who established a seminary in the city in 1926.
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Frequently asked questions
Arizona State University has the largest student population of any university in the US, with over 75,000 students.
Texas A&M University is the second-largest university by student population, with around 70,000 students.
Yes, several universities in the US have student populations of over 50,000. These include Ohio State University, Florida International University, and the University of Florida.
Large universities often have extensive research facilities and a wider variety of majors and student organisations. They also attract a diverse range of students, creating a vibrant and multicultural community.
A very high enrollment can lead to larger class sizes and a more impersonal experience for students.
