In recent years, the college enrollment rate has been fluctuating, and the trend of decline is very obvious. The fluctuation of the college enrollment rate not only reflects that people’s views on the education degree level are changing, but also reflects the impact of many factors, such as socio-economic and technological progress on the college enrollment rate. This guide will analyse the factors leading to the recent decline in college enrollment rates by studying statistical data on college enrollment rates in American universities. If you are still struggling with the choice of further education, this guide is prepared for you!
How Many College Students Are in the U.S.?
In recent years, college enrollment in the US has been on a downward trend. With the increasing economic pressure, tuition fees have continued to rise. Consequently, many students are turning to alternative forms of education such as online learning and vocational training. Against this backdrop, the question of how many college students there are in the US has attracted widespread attention. According to the latest statistics released by the U.S. Department of Education, the total number of college students in the country (including both undergraduate and graduate students）stands at approximately 19 to 20 million.
Through studying statistical data, we found that the number of college students in the US seems to be decreasing year by year. The factors contributing to the college enrollment rate decline may be multifaceted. Firstly, the continuous rise in tuition fees has driven up the overall cost of education. This forces many students to re-evaluate their ability to afford the cost of university education. In addition, the rise of online platforms has also provided students with more choices. This has a direct impact on the university enrollment rate. At the same time, there has been a shift in society’s perception of university education, with more and more students choosing courses that align with their career development. By studying the latest official statistical data, we will analyse the role of gender, race and ethnicity, age, degree level, and institution type in university enrollment.
College Enrollment by Gender
Through analysing the data about enrollment at American Universities, we can observe some significant trends in gender in higher education:
- Women have outnumbered men in college since 1979.
- In spring 2025, an estimated 8.3 million women and 6.1 million men were enrolled in undergraduate programs.
- Among first-time, full-time bachelor’s degree-seekers, females are 32.3% more likely to complete their degree at the first institution they enrolled in and within 6 years compared to men.
- Among all postsecondary students, graduate and undergraduate, 42.1% are male and 57.9% are female.
At present, the relevant data is limited and cannot fully reflect other gender groups besides the binary gender. If the data collection is updated in the future, this type of data should be able to be counted.
| Fall Post-secondary Enrollment (Undergraduate & Graduate) from 1976 to 2022 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | % Female Enrollment | % Female Racial or Ethnic Minority Enrollment |
| 2022 | 57.94% | 27.19% |
| 2021 | 58.37% | 26.91% |
| 2020 | 58.56% | 26.80% |
| 2019 | 57.39% | 25.89% |
| 2018 | 57.03% | 25.21% |
| 2017 | 56.66% | 24.64% |
| 2016 | 56.47% | 24.11% |
| 2015 | 56.36% | 23.71% |
| 2014 | 56.47% | 23.45% |
| 2010 | 56.96% | 21.55% |
| 2000 | 56.10% | 16.53% |
| 1990 | 54.28% | 11.06% |
| 1980 | 51.44% | 8.80% |
| 1976 | 47.23% | 7.85% |
According to the above data analysis, the change in the proportion of male and female students enrolled in American universities shows a continuous increase in the number of female college enrollments. This reflects the gradual promotion of gender equality education by society. With the increasing participation of women in higher education, the job market is demanding higher levels of education for women, and opportunities for women in academia and careers are constantly increasing.
These data emphasize the importance of creating an inclusive and supportive learning environment for all students, and also remind us that gender balance remains a multidimensional issue.
College Enrollment by Race and Ethnicity
By analysing current university enrollment data, we can better understand the participation of different races and ethnicities in higher education:
- 3% of college students are White or Caucasian; excluding nonresident noncitizens or international students.
- 9% of White or Caucasian students enroll at 4-year institutions.
- As a percentage of total student enrollments, the rate of enrollment of students of color has increased from 15.36% in 1976 to 45.23% in 2022, an absolute increase of 29.87%.
- Black and African American student enrolment has seen an absolute increase of 3.1% since 1976 relative to total enrollment.
- It’s important to consider that a substantial number of students — 19% of undergraduate students and 21% of graduate students — did not report their race or ethnicity.
| College Enrollment by Race/Ethnicity, 2025 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate Enrollment | Graduate Enrollment | |
| Total Enrollment | 15,253,244 | 3,114,726 |
| White | 5,980,551 | 1,276,687 |
| Hispanic | 2,807,267 | 308,391 |
| Black | 1,739,940 | 340,624 |
| Asian | 914,759 | 247,864 |
| Native American | 98,360 | 17,007 |
| Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander | 38,503 | 5,367 |
| Multiracial | 695,565 | 121,846 |
| International | 153,685 | 151,098 |
| Unknown or unreported | 2,827,464 | 645,844 |
Based on the above data, it can be seen that the racial and ethnic composition of American college students is becoming increasingly diverse. The corresponding educational backgrounds behind this are also diverse. White students are still the largest, accounting for 52.3% of the total college enrollment. However, over the years, the proportion of people of color (including Black, Latinx, and Asian students) attending college has increased. It can be seen from this that multiculturalism has an increasingly significant impact on university enrollment. Especially for Latinx girls, the rate of college enrollment has increased significantly. This indicates that this group has access to an increasing number of educational opportunities.
However, there are also some ethnic groups that have risen relatively slowly, such as American Native Americans and Alaska Native Americans. Their enrollment is only slightly higher. It is evident that they still find it difficult to participate in higher education. This situation is mostly related to family economic conditions, uneven distribution of educational resources, and a lack of educational opportunities in the past.
Currently, people increasingly value educational equity. In future education policies and resource allocation, more support should be given to ensure that all ethnic groups can have equal access to universities, especially those who rarely enter universities.
College Enrollment by Age
The US Department of Education and related statistical data show that the age of American college students is significantly concentrated in a certain age group. Most students enter university for the first time at the age of eighteen or nineteen to their early twenties. And most of these students choose to study full-time courses, While non full-time courses are mostly favored by older age groups.
- According to statistical data, approximately 67.2% of college students in 2025 will be aged 24 and below.
- About 39% of the 18 to 24-year-old students in the US are currently enrolled in university or graduate programs.
- Students aged 18-19 account for 26.84% of all enrolled students. The proportion of students aged 20-24 is the highest, reaching 38.52%.
- Compared to the data of college enrollment in 2005, the proportion of students aged 18-24 enrolled in the autumn of 2025 is 10.5% higher. It can be seen that the proportion of young students is further increasing.
- It is worth noting that 37.7% of people aged 25 and above in the US already hold a bachelor’s degree or higher.
From these data, it can be seen that the age structure of the US higher education system is still centered around the 18-24 age group. This phenomenon reflects that university is still widely regarded as a standard path after graduating from high school. At the same time, online education and innovative course formats are constantly developing. Although the proportion of adult learners aged 25 and above is not high, it is still a stable group. These people return to campus mainly for career development, skill enhancement, or to meet the need for further education. This age distribution not only reflects the dominant position of traditional undergraduate education, but also implies that higher education still has space for further expansion in serving the older student group.
College Enrollment by Institution Type
The vast majority of college students choose to study full-time courses at four-year public degree-granting institutions. According to college enrollment statistics, the following information can be obtained:
- Among high school graduates, 16.9% choose to enter two-year universities and 45.1% choose four-year universities. This indicates that the vast majority of high school graduates are more inclined to choose academic paths with a longer duration. Two-year colleges can still attract some students to apply.
- The proportion of students enrolled in public institutions reaches 73.2%, and this proportion will remain relatively stable from 2020 to 2025. This highlights the dominant position of public universities in the American higher education system.
- The proportion of enrollment in public institutions peaked at 76.8% in 2000. On the other hand, the proportion of students in private and for-profit colleges has been at a relatively low level for a long time.
| Years of Study | Number | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Private four-year | 1907 | Elite Ivy League, NYU, William College… |
| Private two-year | 450 | Typically vocational-focused like Berea College, Paul Quinn College… |
| Public four-year | 772 | State-funded, cheaper for in-state students, like the University of Michigan, UC Berkeley, UVA… |
| Public two-year | 853 | Community colleges like Santa Monica College, Lone Star College, Miami Dade College… |
According to the previous analysis, the differences in attractiveness of different types of schools in American university admissions are mainly reflected in tuition fees and academic resources. Public institutions continue to attract the majority of students due to their lower tuition fees and wider academic resources. Especially in the context of high economic pressure, it has become the first choice for many students. In contrast, although private colleges have higher tuition fees, they can still attract a small number of students with high-quality education and strong alumni networks.
Both public and private four-year colleges continue to be the preferred choice for most students due to their comprehensive academic training and long-term career development prospects. However, the enrollment in two-year colleges is relatively small. However, due to its advantages of lower tuition fees and the ability to provide more career-oriented courses, it still meets the needs of students pursuing vocational skills.
Overall, tuition fees and academic resources remain the main driving forces for students to choose colleges.
College Enrollment by Degree Level
According to the statistical data provided by the US Department of Education, we can obtain the following information：
- Most undergraduate students only attempt to complete their university studies once. There are relatively few cases of repeated enrollment.
- In four-year colleges, business is the most popular undergraduate major. About 5.37% of undergraduate students choose this major.
- In two-year colleges, students tend to choose majors with basic education and clear career directions. The highest proportion of majors is humanities and sciences, reaching 15.0%.
- Compared to the basic education that undergraduate students prefer, graduate students are more concerned with career planning.
- Medical health is the most popular graduate direction, accounting for 11.8%.
Undergraduate education is still the most widely covered stage in the higher education. The difference in the number of undergraduate and graduate students shows that the undergraduate stage is still the primary choice for students to enter higher education. And graduate education is responsible for undertaking the more specialized academic training tasks. These data reflect the clear division of labor in higher education in the US at the degree level. There are also differences in the distribution of majors among different types of universities. This also indicates that students have already started making rational choices based on their career goals and learning costs upon enrollment.
College Student Enrollment by State
College enrollment rates generally correlate with a state’s population. The Latest statistic data shows that there are significant regional differences in the college enrollments across different states in the US.
- By 2025, college enrollments in multiple states in the US has declined.Iowa and Alaska have experienced the largest decline in enrollment.
- During the same period, only six regions achieved an increase in enrollment. They are New Hampshire, Utah, Idaho, Delaware, Texas, and the District of Columbia.
- Observing the college enrollment in each state, California still has the highest number of college students, with 2.487 million students.
- Between spring 2024 and spring 2025, college enrollment in most states in the US will increase. However, enrollment in Alaska, Idaho, Missouri, Nebraska, Oregon, and Vermont has still slightly declined.
- The college enrollments is positively correlated with the state population. But due to the development of online education, some students are no longer limited by the population size of their own state.
| College Enrollment Trends Among States | ||
|---|---|---|
| State | College Enrollment | % Change, 2010 to 2025 |
| Alabama | 294,009 | -10.30% |
| Alaska | 20,152 | -42.10% |
| Arizona | 624,719 | -21.30% |
| Arkansas | 154,781 | -12.00% |
| California | 2,486,788 | -8.40% |
| Colorado | 346,716 | -6.20% |
| Connecticut | 187,764 | -5.80% |
| Delaware | 57,022 | 3.20% |
| District of Columbia | 99,329 | 8.00% |
| Florida | 999,223 | -11.20% |
| Georgia | 541,594 | -4.80% |
| Hawaii | 58,841 | -24.60% |
| Idaho | 125,249 | 47.00% |
| Illinois | 677,446 | -25.30% |
| Indiana | 436,234 | -5.10% |
| Iowa | 202,287 | -47.00% |
| Kansas | 185,985 | -13.40% |
| Kentucky | 261,751 | -10.10% |
| Louisiana | 238,689 | -9.50% |
| Maine | 71,475 | -1.30% |
| Maryland | 329,092 | -12.90% |
| Massachusetts | 468,960 | -7.60% |
| Michigan | 466,458 | -33.10% |
| Minnesota | 373,128 | -19.80% |
| Mississippi | 155,950 | -13.40% |
| Missouri | 333,470 | -25.00% |
| Montana | 47,134 | -11.50% |
| Nebraska | 134,815 | -6.80% |
| Nevada | 113,588 | -12.20% |
| New Hampshire | 214,537 | 184.00% |
| New Jersey | 378,819 | -14.70% |
| New Mexico | 110,082 | -32.30% |
| New York | 1,117,623 | -14.40% |
| North Carolina | 553,180 | -5.60% |
| North Dakota | 51,074 | -10.20% |
| Ohio | 612,352 | -17.80% |
| Oklahoma | 184,218 | -20.10% |
| Oregon | 194,987 | -22.50% |
| Pennsylvania | 633,991 | -21.20% |
| Rhode Island | 74,413 | -12.60% |
| South Carolina | 242,672 | -5.60% |
| South Dakota | 51,317 | -12.10% |
| Tennessee | 308,710 | -12.20% |
| Texas | 1,567,017 | 2.00% |
| Utah | 401,218 | 56.90% |
| Vermont | 39,888 | -12.50% |
| Virginia | 546,280 | -5.50% |
| Washington | 311,068 | -19.90% |
| West Virginia | 132,923 | -12.80% |
| Wisconsin | 316,129 | -17.70% |
| Wyoming | 29,971 | -21.70% |
These data show that the geographical distribution of college enrollment in the US is very uneven. States with larger populations, such as California and New York, naturally have more students in college. States with small populations have relatively limited university enrollment. In addition, there has been a significant increase in enrollment in some states in the short term. This change may be related to the expansion of enrollment in local universities. It may also benefit from local economic development.
However, the vast majority of states have experienced a continuous college enrollment decline since 2010. This trend may be related to the decline in birth rates. Economic factors and rising tuition fees may also have an impact.
Key Insight About College Enrollment Statistics
According to the latest data released by the U.S. Department of Education, we can see that:
- 11.91 million undergraduates and graduate students are enrolled full-time, representing 60.7% of postsecondary students.
- 62.0% of high school (or equivalent) graduates go on to postsecondary study.
- College enrollment reached its peak in 2010, at 21.02 million, a significant increase from previous years. Afterwards, the number of current enrolled students decreased to 19.568 million in 2025.
- The enrollment in 2025 is 19.568 million, slightly increasing from 19.247 million in 2024. This indicates that although there has been an overall decline since 2010, the number of enrollments is still showing a slow upward trend.
- In 2022, the total enrollment was 18.58 million, with public institutions continuing to dominate. 72.6% of students choose to attend public universities and colleges.
| College Enrollment (Undergraduate & Graduate Students) from 1950 to 2025 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Total | %Public Institution |
| 2025 | 19,567,692 | 73.20% |
| 2024 | 19,247,640 | 73.20% |
| 2023 | 18,939,568 | 73.20% |
| 2022 | 18,580,026 | 72.60% |
| 2021 | 18,658,756 | 72.60% |
| 2020 | 19,027,410 | 73.00% |
| 2015 | 19,988,204 | 72.90% |
| 2010 | 21,019,438 | 72.00% |
| 2005 | 17,487,475 | 74.50% |
| 2000 | 15,312,289 | 76.80% |
| 1995 | 14,261,781 | 77.80% |
| 1990 | 13,818,637 | 78.50% |
| 1985 | 12,096,895 | 77.40% |
| 1980 | 12,096,895 | 78.20% |
| 1975 | 11,184,859 | 79.00% |
| 1970 | 8,580,887 | 74.90% |
| 1965 | 5,920,864 | 67.00% |
| 1960 | 4,145,065 | 61.80% |
| 1955 | 2,653,034 | 55.60% |
| 1950 | 2,281,298 | 50.00% |
College Enrollment Trends
In fact, American universities enrollment has not consistently declined over a long period of time in the past. According to data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the number of undergraduate students has increased for decades and peaked at about 18.1 million in 2010. However, after this peak, college enrollments in the United States has entered a continuous decline. By the fall of 2025, colleges enrollment in the US has dropped to about 19.5million, a significant decrease from the peak in 2010.
If we observed the long-term trend, the decline will be more clearly reflected:
- From 1985 to 2010, the average annual growth rate of American university enrollment was about 2.2%, and the entire higher education industry was in the expansion stage;
- From 2012 to 2025, college enrollments continued to decline at an average annual rate of 1.4%;
- By 2025, college enrollments have decreased by about 14.8% compared with the peak in 2010.
These data show that the change about American universities enrollment is not a short-term fluctuation, but a decline that has lasted for more than a decade. Also, these data provide strong support for the analysis of the reasons behind it.
Why Is College Enrollment Declining?
Based on previous analysis of enrollment trends at American universities, the enrollment at top universities in the United States, especially the top 10 US colleges with declining enrollment, is actually caused by a combination of multiple factors. Specifically, this trend is closely related to factors such as the overall reduction in enrollment scale, the subsequent impact of the epidemic, the economic pressure of education and further education, and the shift in society’s perception of the value of university education.
Research shows a clear causal relationship between the decline in college enrollment in the US and changes in birth rates. Since the economic recession in the early 1990s, the overall birth rate in the United States has been declining. The change in birth rate was not initially significant. About 18 years later, it gradually reflected in the university enrollment decline. The similar situation occurred again during the global financial crisis from 2007 to 2009. So，many educational researchers make predictions：American universities will experience a significant decline in enrollment after 2025.
At the same time, the student structure of higher education is also undergoing changes. More and more people who have entered the workforce and students who have been studying for years are choosing to return to campus. Online education and innovative learning models are constantly becoming popular. One of their advantages is significantly reducing the time and economic barriers required for education. From the current situation, it seems that those social figures and students who focus on vocational education are likely to become a key force in stabilizing college enrollment rates and alleviating the pressure of decline in the near future.
How uhomes.com Supports Your College Experience?
The enrollment rate of American universities has been declining year after year, and more and more students are feeling conflicted when choosing higher education. This trend not only brings academic pressure to students, but also gives rise to additional difficulties in accommodation. Especially for international students, finding suitable and economical accommodation is often a major challenge in your study abroad life. uhomes.com focuses on providing convenient accommodation solutions for overseas students, helping you solve life problems, and enabling you to fully devote yourselves to your studies and adapt to the new academic environment with ease.
By providing precise accommodation options and personalized support, uhomes.com enables students to find accommodation that better meets your needs, whether in terms of price, location, or convenience, allowing you to focus more on your studies. In addition, whether you are looking for student apartments in New York or student housing in Los Angeles, uhomes.com provides 1-on-1 professional support to help you make the best accommodation choices based on your individual needs. Regardless of the comprehensive advantages of these services, you not only alleviate the financial burden, but also enable you to be more focused and at ease in your busy learning and life.
Conclusion
Overall, the college enrollment decline in the United States is a comprehensive reflection of multiple social, economic, and cultural factors working together. The trend of declining university enrollment rates year after year is due to the interweaving and superposition of multiple factors, which have jointly caused the current dilemma of declining enrollment rates. At the same time, rising tuition fees, increased employment pressure, and a shift in society’s perception of the value of university education further influence students’ choices for further education and participation in higher education.
These data not only provide us with a clear understanding of the current state of higher education in the United States, but also offer valuable references for future education policy formulation. By understanding these trends, we can better help future college students cope with the constantly changing educational environment with ease.
FAQs
Are less people going to college?
Yes, fewer people are going to college, which is reflected in the college enrollment decline over recent years. Several factors contribute to this trend, including rising tuition costs, economic uncertainties, and changing perceptions of the value of a college degree.
How many colleges students are in the U.S.?
Currently, approximately 19.6 million students are enrolled in U.S. colleges and universities, according to the most recent college enrollment statistics. This number represents both undergraduate and graduate students across all types of institutions.
Why is college enrollment declining?
College enrollment decline can be attributed to multiple factors, such as the rising cost of education, demographic shifts, and changing attitudes toward higher education. Economic barriers like increasing tuition fees and living expenses deter many potential students.
What does enrolled in college mean?
Being enrolled in college means that a student has officially registered to attend a higher education institution, either full-time or part-time, to pursue a degree or certification. This status indicates that the student has met the necessary prerequisites and has been accepted by the institution.
How to increase college enrollment?
To increase college enrollment, key steps would include making higher education more affordable, improving access to scholarships, and addressing financial barriers such as high tuition fees.
What is the current college enrollment in the U.S.?
The current college enrollment in the U.S. stands at approximately 19.6 million students. This figure includes both undergraduate and graduate students. While the numbers have fluctuated over the years, a slight upward trend has been observed recently, following a period of decline post-2010.
Is it difficult to get into college in the US?
Yes, getting into college in the US can be difficult, but it depends on the specific college. Admission standards vary widely across institutions, from community colleges to elite universities.
How can I get into a good college?
Entering a good college requires strong academic performance, meaningful extracurricular activities, and well-prepared application materials. Schools value different qualities, so tailor your application to each institution.
Is college becoming less popular?
No, college is not necessarily becoming less popular overall. While undergraduate enrollment in 2022 was lower than in 2010, it is still much higher than in the early 2000s or 1970s. The recent decline mainly reflects fewer traditionally-aged students due to lower birth rates. College remains a key pathway for education and career preparation.
