Lori Meadows
The number of undergraduate students enrolled in a university is one of the key indicators of its size. While there are many large universities across the globe, the largest universities in the world in terms of undergraduate enrollment are fully online colleges: Western Governors University, Southern New Hampshire University, and the University of Phoenix, with enrollments surpassing 100,000 in 2023-2024. The largest universities by in-person enrollment are Arizona State University and Texas A&M University, which each serve more than 70,000 students.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| University with the most undergraduate students | Arizona State University |
| Number of undergraduate students | 65,200 |
| Number of graduate students | 14,400 |
| Total student enrollment | 75,000+ |
| Location | Tempe, Arizona |
| Campuses | 4 physical locations in Maricopa County, and locations in Lake Havasu, Hawaii, Los Angeles, and Washington, DC |
| In-state undergraduate tuition & fees | $9,000 |
| Out-of-state undergraduate tuition & fees | $36,430 |
| Second-largest university by student enrollment | Texas A&M University |
| Texas A&M University student enrollment | 68,000+ |
| Third-largest university by student enrollment | Ohio State University |
| Ohio State University student enrollment | 61,000 |
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What You'll Learn
- Arizona State University: largest by on-campus and hybrid enrollment
- Texas A&M University: one of the largest universities in the world
- University of Central Florida: largest by undergraduate enrollment in the US
- Ohio State University: one of the biggest campuses in the US
- California State University: smallest student body of 20 colleges
Arizona State University: largest by on-campus and hybrid enrollment
Arizona State University (ASU) is one of the largest public universities by on-campus and hybrid enrollment in the United States. Founded in 1885 as Territorial Normal School, it is one of about 180 "normal schools" founded in the late 19th century to train teachers for the rapidly growing public common schools.
ASU has over 183,000 students attending classes, with more than 74,000 students attending online and 142,000 undergraduates across its four campuses and four regional learning centres throughout Arizona. The Tempe campus is ASU's original campus and is considered urban, with a size of about 660 acres (2.7 square kilometres). It is the largest of ASU's campuses, with more than 70,000 students enrolled in at least one class on campus in fall 2017. The total in-person enrollment across campuses in Maricopa County was 79,478 as of Fall 2022.
ASU's ranking in the 2025 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, #121. Its in-state tuition and fees are $12,223, while out-of-state tuition and fees are $33,139. The university has an 85% retention rate of first-year students, and two-thirds of first-year students admitted for fall 2023 had unweighted GPAs of 3.47 and above.
ASU is ranked top 5 nationally for best online bachelor's programs by US News & World Report, ahead of Texas A&M, the University of Arizona, and George Washington. It offers more than 300 online degree and certificate programs taught by award-winning faculty. The university is also one of the fastest-growing research enterprises in the US, with $904 million in total research expenditures in FY23.
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Texas A&M University: one of the largest universities in the world
Texas A&M University is one of the largest universities in the United States, with a total undergraduate enrolment of 59,933 in Fall 2023. The university's ranking in the 2025 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, #51. The campus size is 5,200 acres, and it has a student-to-teacher ratio of 19:1. Texas A&M is one of the few universities with land-, sea-, and space-grant designations. It is also the main university of The Texas A&M University System and a member of the Association of American Universities.
Texas A&M University has a rich history, established as the first public university in Texas in 1871. Classes began in 1876, and in 1893, Ethel Hudson, the daughter of a faculty member, became the first woman to take classes. Texas A&M has a strong tradition of military service, with many alumni serving in World War I and World War II. The university also has a unique set of traditions, such as the Aggie Muster, a ceremony to honour deceased former students, and the Aggie Bonfire, a celebration of their rivalry with the University of Texas at Austin.
Texas A&M offers a broad educational foundation with various degree programs. The College of Engineering has the largest enrolment, followed by the College of Liberal Arts and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. The university's student body is diverse, with students from all 50 U.S. states and over 120 other countries. Texas residents account for the majority of the student population, with a significant percentage of international students as well.
Texas A&M University provides numerous opportunities for its large student population, including a wide range of academic programs, student organizations, and connections to internships and job opportunities. Its location near populous cities further enhances the perks of attending a large university. The university's size and resources enable it to offer an abundance of choices for students, making it an attractive option for those seeking a broad educational foundation and diverse campus life.
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University of Central Florida: largest by undergraduate enrollment in the US
The University of Central Florida (UCF) is a public research university with its main campus in unincorporated Orange County, Florida. Founded in 1963, UCF opened its first classes in 1968 as Florida Technological University, with the mission to provide personnel educated in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to support the growing U.S. space program.
UCF is one of the largest universities in the US and is the largest by undergraduate enrollment in the state of Florida. As of the fall 2022 semester, UCF had around 68,442 students, with over 50,000 at the undergraduate level. UCF's student body consists of 61,456 undergraduates and 10,002 graduate and professional students, with 490 M.D. students from all 67 Florida counties, all 50 states, and 157 countries. The university houses 13 colleges, offering 101 baccalaureate programs, 88 master's programs, 31 doctoral programs, three specialist programs, and a professional program in medicine. The three largest undergraduate units are the College of Sciences, the College of Business Administration, and the Health Professions and Sciences.
UCF's most popular majors include psychology, computer science, and the health sciences. The university also offers a selective, two-year undergraduate leadership program called the LEAD Scholars Academy, which combines academic coursework, experiential learning, and service projects. The University Honors Program, administered by the Burnett Honors College, is designed for 500 accomplished incoming undergraduates annually. Undergraduates enrolled in the Honors College participate in smaller classes and conduct individual research or assigned research under a sponsoring faculty member.
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Ohio State University: one of the biggest campuses in the US
Arizona State University enrolled the highest number of undergraduate students in 2023, with a student body of almost 65,200. Texas A&M University and Florida International University in Miami are also mentioned for their large student populations, with nearly 60,000 and 44,000 students, respectively.
Ohio State University, one of the biggest campuses in the US, is dedicated to 'creating and discovering knowledge while educating and preparing students to be leaders and engaged citizens'. The university has a total undergraduate enrolment of 45,728 as of Fall 2023. The campus size spans 1,714 acres, and it is located in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State University is a public institution founded in 1870. The university's main campus is the fifth-largest in the United States and is known for its research contributions.
Ohio State University offers a diverse range of academic programmes and extracurricular activities. The university consists of several colleges and schools, including the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Medicine, the College of Engineering, and the College of Optometry, among others. The university also has a rich history of student activism, dating back to the anti-Vietnam War protests of the 1960s and 1970s.
Ohio State University provides a vibrant campus life with various student organisations and events. Students can participate in BuckeyeThon, a student-led philanthropy initiative that has raised millions for Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus. The university also boasts two improvisational comedy groups, two student-run radio stations, and Buckeye TV, a local cable channel. The campus is divided into three geographic clusters: South Campus, North Campus, and West Campus.
Ohio State University's athletic programme is a significant aspect of campus life and culture. The university's fans, particularly those of its athletics programme, are known for their emphasis on the word "THE". The university claimed the College Football Playoff National Championship in 2015, defeating Oregon 42-20.
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California State University: smallest student body of 20 colleges
The California State University (CSU) is a public university system in California and is the largest public university system in the United States. It consists of 23 campuses and seven off-campus centres, enrolling 461,612 students in total. In the 2015-16 academic year, CSU awarded 52% of newly issued California teaching credentials and 33% of the state's information technology bachelor's degrees. It is also the leading producer of bachelor's degrees in the country, with over 110,000 graduates each year.
Despite its large student population, California State University—Fullerton has the smallest student body out of 20 colleges, with nearly 37,000 students. This is in contrast to colleges with booming athletic programs and large lecture halls, which tend to have much higher student enrolments. For example, Arizona State University enrolled the most undergraduate students out of the 20 colleges, with almost 65,200 students.
CSU offers more than 1,800 degree programs across 240 subject areas. The CSU system is officially incorporated as The Trustees of the California State University and is headquartered in Long Beach, California. It was established in 1960 as part of the California Master Plan for Higher Education but has roots in the California State Normal Schools that were chartered in 1857.
All 23 campuses have student government organisations and are members of the California State Student Association (CSSA). The CSU consists of 11 campuses in Northern California and 12 in Southern California.
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Frequently asked questions
Arizona State University enrolled the most undergraduate students out of any US college in fall 2023, with almost 65,200.
Yes, but these are online colleges. Western Governors University, Southern New Hampshire University, and the University of Phoenix each had over 100,000 students in 2023-2024.
Yes, several universities have over 50,000 undergraduate students, including:
- University of Central Florida (UCF)
- Texas A&M University
- Ohio State University
- Florida International University
- University of Florida
- New York University (NYU)
Yes, bigger universities tend to have more options for majors and student organizations. They also tend to be located in populous cities, which means more connections to internships, job opportunities, and valuable networks.
