What College Statistics and Education Data Reveal About How Many People Go to College?

Key findings: 

• In Spring 2025, the total number of U.S. postsecondary enrolled students reached 11.29 million.
• Students aged 18-24 account for 66% of U.S. college enrollment in spring 2025, confirming the continued dominance of traditional-age learners in higher education.
• Nonwhite student enrollment has surged by 185% since 1976, reflecting major progress in college diversity and minority access to postsecondary education.
• International students represent 5.5% of U.S. college enrollment, highlighting sustained global demand for American higher education despite recent policy shifts.
• From 2010 to 2022, U.S. college enrollment declined by 12%, underscoring long-term challenges in attracting and retaining students amid changing economic and social conditions.

How many people attend college in the United States? The answer might seem straightforward, but it reveals complex trends shaped by age, race, gender, state policies, and shifting public perceptions of higher education. Over the past two decades, college enrollment has fluctuated due to economic cycles, the COVID-19 pandemic, and changing career pathways. Meanwhile, graduation rates, demographic patterns, and institutional choices tell a richer story behind the numbers.

In this article, we break down the most recent data to show who attends college, how enrollment has changed over time, and which states lead or lag in key outcomes.

College statistics

By analyzing recent demographic and enrollment data, we can address some of the most frequently asked questions about college participation nationwide.

What percent of Americans go to college?

• In Fall 2022, about 5.7% of all Americans were enrolled in degree-granting postsecondary institutions.

How many people go to college?

• The total number of postsecondary students in the U.S. reached approximately 19 million in 2022.

What percent of students go to college?

• Out of the estimated 74.2 million students in the American education system (from preschool through graduate school), about 25.6% were enrolled in college.

How many people don’t go to college?

• In 2022, there were approximately 7.9 million Americans aged 18-19, the age group most likely to enter college.
• With an estimated 67% college enrollment rate for this age group, that means about 5.3 million went to college, while roughly 2.6 million did not.

This breakdown reveals that while a majority of high school graduates continue to college, a substantial portion still do not, highlighting ongoing disparities in access, affordability, and alternative career pathways.

Average college size

The size of a college plays a significant role in shaping the student experience, academic offerings, and campus life. In the United States, college sizes vary widely from small liberal arts colleges with a few hundred students to large public universities with enrollments in the tens of thousands. To better understand the landscape of higher education, let’s look at how big colleges are on average.

How many college students are in the U.S.?

• In 2025, the total number of U.S. postsecondary enrolled students reached 11.29 million.

How many colleges are there in the U.S.?

According to federal data, there were 3,931 Title IV degree-granting institutions in the 2020-21 academic year. This includes:

• 1,892 public institutions.
• 1,754 private nonprofit institutions.
• 2,270 private for-profit institutions.

Over the past decade, the number of colleges, especially for-profit institutions, has steadily declined, down from more than 7,000 in 2012-13 to just under 6,000 in 2020-21.

What is the average college population?

To estimate the average college population, we divide the total number of enrolled students by the number of institutions. In spring 2025, there were approximately 11.29 million enrolled students in degree-granting colleges.

So, the number of college students in the U.S. can be calculated as follows:

11.29 million enrolled students ÷ 3,931 institutions ≈ 2.8K students per college.

• The college student population is approximately 2.8K students per institution.
• This figure reflects a national average and masks considerable variation between different types of colleges.

Factors that affect college size

• Public universities typically have a much larger college population than private or community colleges.
• Two-year colleges tend to be smaller, while four-year institutions can be significantly larger, especially those offering graduate programs.
• The ongoing decline in the number of institutions has contributed to a slight rise in the average college size in recent years.

Understanding the college population helps students make informed decisions about the type of learning environment they prefer, whether it’s a small campus with close-knit classes or a large university with diverse programs and resources.
After exploring national enrollment rates, it’s equally important to examine how student numbers vary across individual states, offering a more granular view of college attendance in the U.S.

College enrollments: state comparison

State-level enrollment figures reveal significant disparities in the number of college students across the United States. These differences are influenced by population size, the number of higher education institutions, urbanization, and education funding. By examining this data, we can gain a better understanding of regional education trends and identify where resources or policy attention may be most needed.

• The total U.S. college-enrolled students in fall 2025 is expected to be 16.7 million.
• California has the highest number of enrolled college students, totaling 2,337,585.
• Texas follows with 1,536,492 college students, making it the second-largest student population by state.
• The state with the fewest enrolled students is Wyoming, with only 27,669 students.

How many college students are in Alabama?

• There are 264,899 college students in Alabama.

How many college students are in Alaska?

• There are 19,290 college students in Alaska.

How many college students are in Arizona?

• There are 489,107 college students in Arizona.

How many college students are in Arkansas?

• There are 130,400 college students in Arkansas.

How many college students are in California?

• There are 2,337,585 college students in California.

How many college students are in Colorado?

• There are 269,880 college students in Colorado.

How many college students are in Connecticut?

• There are 184,472 college students in Connecticut.

How many college students are in Delaware?

• There are 55,824 college students in Delaware.

How many college students are in the District of Columbia?

• There are 77,187 college students in the District of Columbia.

How many college students are in Florida?

• There are 912,785 college students in Florida.

How many college students are in Georgia?

• There are 533,401 college students in Georgia.

How many college students are in Hawaii?

• There are 52,756 college students in Hawaii.

How many college students are in Idaho?

• There are 115,130 college students in Idaho.

How many college students are in Illinois?

• There are 613,071 college students in Illinois.

How many college students are in Indiana?

• There are 346,319 college students in Indiana.

How many college students are in Iowa?

• There are 174,998 college students in Iowa.

How many college students are in Kansas?

• There are 166,036 college students in Kansas.

How many college students are in Kentucky?

• There are 244,203 college students in Kentucky.

How many college students are in Louisiana?

• There are 210,256 college students in Louisiana.

How many college students are in Maine?

• There are 64,377 college students in Maine.

How many college students are in Maryland?

• There are 340,395 college students in Maryland.

How many college students are in Massachusetts?

• There are 453,078 college students in Massachusetts.

How many college students are in Michigan?

• There are 446,798 college students in Michigan.

How many college students are in Minnesota?

• There are 271,892 college students in Minnesota.

How many college students are in Mississippi?

• There are 149,945 college students in Mississippi.

How many college students are in Missouri?

• There are 281,612 college students in Missouri.

How many college students are in Montana?

• There are 47,229 college students in Montana.

How many college students are in Nebraska?

• There are 111,847 college students in Nebraska.

How many college students are in Nevada?

• There are 102,729 college students in Nevada.

How many college students are in New Hampshire?

• There are 49,534 college students in New Hampshire.

How many college students are in New Jersey?

• There are 355,293 college students in New Jersey.

How many college students are in New Mexico?

• There are 96,779 college students in New Mexico.

How many college students are in New York?

• There are 1,023,202 college students in New York.

How many college students are in North Carolina?

• There are 525,214 college students in North Carolina.

How many college students are in North Dakota?

• There are 51,045 college students in North Dakota.

How many college students are in Ohio?

• There are 528,491 college students in Ohio.

How many college students are in Oklahoma?

• There are 180,148 college students in Oklahoma.

How many college students are in Oregon?

• There are 195,428 college students in Oregon.

How many college students are in Pennsylvania?

• There are 643,408 college students in Pennsylvania.

How many college students are in Rhode Island?

• There are 66,685 college students in Rhode Island.

How many college students are in South Carolina?

• There are 233,679 college students in South Carolina.

How many college students are in South Dakota?

• There are 46,579 college students in South Dakota.

How many college students are in Tennessee?

• There are 291,074 college students in Tennessee.

How many college students are in Texas?

• There are 1,536,492 college students in Texas.

How many college students are in Utah?

• There are 252,540 college students in Utah.

How many college students are in Vermont?

• There are 34,690 college students in Vermont.

How many college students are in Virginia?

• There are 501,095 college students in Virginia.

How many college students are in Washington?

• There are 295,672 college students in Washington.

How many college students are in West Virginia?

• There are 70,655 college students in West Virginia.

How many college students are in Wisconsin?

• There are 281,490 college students in Wisconsin.

How many college students are in Wyoming?

• There are 27,669 college students in Wyoming.

The number of students enrolled in colleges varies dramatically from state to state, with large, populous states like California, Texas, and New York accounting for a substantial share of the total student population. Smaller and more rural states, such as Wyoming, Vermont, and Alaska, report far fewer enrollments. These figures highlight how college attendance is shaped by demographic and infrastructural factors, and underscore the need for localized education strategies tailored to each state’s unique context.

While state-level numbers provide regional insight, looking at national enrollment trends over time helps us understand how the overall college student population is evolving in the U.S.

How many students are enrolled in college in the U.S.?

Tracking total enrollment across all U.S. higher education institutions shows how the academic landscape is responding to demographic shifts, economic factors, and broader societal trends. Between 2020 and 2025, spring enrollment figures reveal subtle fluctuations that reflect recovery from pandemic-era declines and ongoing changes in the number of college students in the US. These figures also distinguish between total undergraduate student enrollment and graduate enrollment, helping us evaluate structural dynamics within postsecondary education.

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• In Spring 2025, the total number of U.S. postsecondary students reached 11.29 million, marking a continued recovery from earlier declines.
• Undergraduate enrollment rose from 8.59 million in 2022 to 9.21 million in 2025, indicating renewed growth in the base of degree-seeking students.
• Total U.S. college enrollment in 2024 was 10.91 million, a modest increase from the previous year’s 10.58 million.

Number of college students in the U.S. by year

• Total U.S. undergraduate students in 2025: 9.2 million, which is less than in 2020.
• In 2025, the percentage of U.S. undergraduate students was 81.6%.
• In 2025, the percentage of U.S. graduate students was 18.4%.

Although overall enrollment remains below historic peaks such as the 21 million in 2010, recent data shows a consistent upward trend since 2022. This suggests stabilization and gradual growth in the college student population, especially at the undergraduate level. However, the gap between current enrollment and the earlier highs implies ongoing challenges in college access or interest, possibly influenced by changing workforce dynamics and tuition concerns. These numbers underscore the importance of adapting educational policies to attract and retain more students in the coming years.

To fully understand recent college enrollment trends, it’s crucial to examine the rates of change year-over-year and how they’ve shifted since the national peak over a decade ago.

Enrollment-decline metrics

The years following 2010 have seen a notable downward trajectory in college enrollment. 

• Decline in U.S. college enrollment from 2010 to 2022 – 12%.

Economic pressures, changing perceptions of higher education, and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have all contributed to periods of negative growth. These college enrollment statistics by year reveal when declines were sharpest when recovery began, and how the balance between undergraduate and graduate enrollment is evolving. This data helps explain why fewer people are going to college, particularly in traditional undergraduate pathways.

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• U.S. college enrollment declined by 4.31% in 2020 and fell another 2.7% in 2021, reflecting a sharp pandemic-era drop.
• Since 2010, college enrollment in the U.S. has decreased by a total of 9.6%, according to national education data.
• By 2025, enrollment rebounded with a 3.43% increase, reversing a decade-long decline and marking the strongest annual growth in recent years.

College enrollment increases by year

After more than a decade of contraction highlighted by a sharp 4.31% drop in 2020 and further declines through 2022, the U.S. appears to be witnessing a rebound in college enrollment rate. The positive growth in both undergraduate and graduate sectors in 2024 and 2025 signals renewed interest in higher education, possibly fueled by improved job market alignment and policy incentives. Still, the question remains: are fewer students going to college in the long term? The post-2010 trends suggest structural shifts that may not fully reverse, pointing to the need for higher education to adapt to new generational and economic realities.

Beyond overall enrollment numbers, understanding student demographics offers deeper insight into who attends college in the U.S. and how that composition is evolving over time.

Student demographic and composition metrics

The U.S. college population is becoming increasingly diverse, not only in terms of race and gender but also age. Analyzing college diversity statistics provides context for shifts in higher education participation. 

College students by age

Age-based enrollment data, in particular, reveals that while the traditional college-age group (18-24) still dominates, a significant share of students are 25 or older, reflecting the rise of non-traditional learners and adult education. These trends directly influence academic programming, student services, and campus life.

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• In 2025, the percentage of U.S. college students aged 18-24 made up 66% of total undergraduate enrollment, confirming this group as the core of college populations.
• The percentage of U.S. college students aged 25 or older accounted for 20%, highlighting the growing presence of adult learners in higher education.
• The number of students under 17 rose slightly to 6,112 in 2025, indicating the continued use of dual enrollment or early college programs.

Number of college students by age

The age composition of college students underscores a dual reality: while the majority of undergraduates remain within the traditional 18-24 range, older students continue to represent a meaningful and stable segment of the student body. This trend suggests a growing demand for flexible programs, online offerings, and career-aligned credentials. As minority enrollment and gender ratios shift in parallel (e.g., 57% of students are female, and 20% are Hispanic), institutions must adapt to a more heterogeneous and non-linear student experience. The evolving college gender ratio, age distribution, and diversity all play a critical role in shaping the future of U.S. higher education.

While age trends reveal important shifts in student composition, examining college enrollment by race and gender offers another vital dimension of understanding campus diversity.

College students by gender

Gender continues to play a defining role in shaping the U.S. college experience. For decades, women have outnumbered men in higher education, and recent student demographics confirm that this trend persists. The college gender ratio reflects social, cultural, and economic factors that influence who enrolls, stays and graduates. Analyzing enrollment by gender helps educators and policymakers address disparities and ensure that academic programs are inclusive and responsive to evolving student needs.

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• In 2025, the percentage of U.S. female college students was 57%, totaling 8.32 million, compared to 6.1 million males.
• The gender gap slightly narrowed from 2023 to 2025, with male enrollment increasing from 5.8 million to 6.1 million.
• Female enrollment declined from 8.58 million in 2020 to 8.32 million in 2025, reflecting broader enrollment contraction during the pandemic years.

Number of college students by gender

The persistent dominance of women in undergraduate enrollment highlights the gendered nature of educational attainment in the U.S. While men are gradually regaining ground after pandemic-era declines, the current gender ratio still favors female students across most institutions. This dynamic raises important questions about male access, engagement, and completion in higher education. 

In addition to gender, student demographics based on race and ethnicity shed light on long-term shifts in college diversity statistics and access to education for historically underrepresented groups.

College students by race

Racial and ethnic representation in U.S. colleges has transformed significantly over recent decades. Since 1976, minority enrollment has surged, with particularly strong growth among Hispanic and Black students. These changes reflect expanding access to higher education, population shifts, and targeted recruitment efforts by colleges. Examining college enrollment by race and gender offers a clearer picture of how inclusive U.S. institutions have become and where gaps may persist.

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• In 2025, the percentage of U.S. Hispanic college students made up approximately 20% of undergraduates, totaling 2.81 million, a sharp rise from 2.49 million in 2022.
• In 2025, the percentage of U.S. black college students was 13% of the undergraduate population.
• Since 1976, nonwhite student enrollment increased by 185%, showing substantial diversification in U.S. higher education.

Number of college students by race

The U.S. undergraduate population has become far more racially diverse over time, with Hispanic and Black students driving much of the growth in minority enrollment. Asian, multiracial, and Native American students also contribute to the broadening racial profile of campuses nationwide. However, despite these gains, disparities in college readiness, affordability, and completion persist for many nonwhite groups. Continued progress will depend on whether institutions can support this increasingly diverse population with inclusive policies, culturally responsive teaching, and targeted resources to close equity gaps.

After understanding who attends college, the next logical step is to examine who completes it — an equally vital dimension of college statistics and student outcomes.

U.S. college completion statistics

Graduation rates vary widely across states, reflecting differences in institutional quality, student support services, funding, and socioeconomic conditions. This education data highlights how effectively states are guiding students to degree completion. While some states exceed national averages, others struggle to ensure students finish what they start, an issue that impacts both individual economic mobility and workforce readiness.

• The total number of U.S. college graduates per year is approximately 4 million.
• Florida and Iowa lead the nation in graduation outcomes, both reporting rates above 82%.
• At the lower end, Alaska (34.9%) and Arkansas (34%) have the weakest student graduation performance.

What is the graduation rate in Alabama?

• Alabama has a graduation rate of 69%.

What is the graduation rate in Alaska?

• Alaska has one of the lowest graduation rates in the U.S., at 34.9%.

What is the graduation rate in Arizona?

• Arizona reports a graduation rate of 70.4%.

What is the graduation rate in Arkansas?

• Arkansas has a low graduation rate of 34%.

What is the graduation rate in California?

• California’s graduation rate stands at 73.5%, above the national average.

What is the graduation rate in Colorado?

• Colorado has a graduation rate of 66.6%.

What is the graduation rate in Connecticut?

• Connecticut reports a graduation rate of 72.1%.

What is the graduation rate in Florida?

• Florida leads the nation with a graduation rate of 82.4%.

What is the graduation rate in Georgia?

• Georgia’s graduation rate is 64.3%.

What is the graduation rate in Hawaii?

• Hawaii has a graduation rate of 66.9%.

What is the graduation rate in Idaho?

• Idaho reports a graduation rate of 61.1%.

What is the graduation rate in Illinois?

• Illinois has a graduation rate of 72.4%.

What is the graduation rate in Indiana?

• Indiana reports a graduation rate of 72.1%.

What is the graduation rate in Iowa?

• Iowa ties for the top with a graduation rate of 82%.

What is the graduation rate in Kansas?

• Kansas has a graduation rate of 70.7%.

What is the graduation rate in Kentucky?

• Kentucky reports a graduation rate of 68.6%.

What is the graduation rate in Louisiana?

• Louisiana’s graduation rate is 59.6%.

What is the graduation rate in Maine?

• Maine has a graduation rate of 56.9%.

What is the graduation rate in Maryland?

• Maryland reports a graduation rate of 71.6%.

What is the graduation rate in Massachusetts?

• Massachusetts has a graduation rate of 72.2%.

What is the graduation rate in Michigan?

• Michigan reports a graduation rate of 73.6%.

What is the graduation rate in Minnesota?

• Minnesota has a strong graduation rate of 76.5%.

What is the graduation rate in Mississippi?

• Mississippi reports a graduation rate of 68.9%.

What is the graduation rate in Missouri?

• Missouri has a graduation rate of 67%.

What is the graduation rate in Montana?

• Montana’s graduation rate is 56.9%.

What is the graduation rate in Nebraska?

• Nebraska reports a graduation rate of 69.2%.

What is the graduation rate in Nevada?

• Nevada has a graduation rate of 59.7%.

What is the graduation rate in New Hampshire?

• New Hampshire reports a high graduation rate of 76.8%.

What is the graduation rate in New Jersey?

• New Jersey’s graduation rate is 74.6%.

What is the graduation rate in New Mexico?

• New Mexico has a low graduation rate of 50.3%.

What is the graduation rate in New York?

• New York reports a graduation rate of 70%.

What is the graduation rate in North Carolina?

• North Carolina has a graduation rate of 75.8%.

What is the graduation rate in North Dakota?

• North Dakota reports a graduation rate of 70%.

What is the graduation rate in Ohio?

• Ohio has a graduation rate of 70.1%.

What is the graduation rate in Oklahoma?

• Oklahoma’s graduation rate is 59.1%.

What is the graduation rate in Oregon?

• Oregon reports a graduation rate of 69.6%.

What is the graduation rate in Pennsylvania?

• Pennsylvania has a graduation rate of 74%.

What is the graduation rate in South Carolina?

• South Carolina reports a graduation rate of 76.5%.

What is the graduation rate in South Dakota?

• South Dakota has a graduation rate of 67.9%.

What is the graduation rate in Tennessee?

• Tennessee reports a graduation rate of 65.2%.

What is the graduation rate in Texas?

• Texas has a graduation rate of 68.9%.

What is the graduation rate in Utah?

• Utah’s graduation rate is 58.8%.

What is the graduation rate in Vermont?

• Vermont reports a high graduation rate of 77.9%.

What is the graduation rate in Virginia?

• Virginia has a graduation rate of 78%, among the top in the country.

What is the graduation rate in Washington?

• Washington reports a graduation rate of 71.2%.

What is the graduation rate in West Virginia?

• West Virginia has a graduation rate of 63.3%.

What is the graduation rate in Wisconsin?

• Wisconsin reports a graduation rate of 78%, among the highest in the U.S.

State-level disparities in graduation rates reflect deeper structural inequalities within the American higher education system. While states like Vermont (77.9%), Virginia (78%), and Wisconsin (78%) report strong completion outcomes, others like New Mexico, Utah, and Oklahoma lag significantly behind. These gaps suggest that access alone isn’t enough. Persistence and completion require sustained institutional support, especially in states with historically underserved populations. Nationally, producing 4 million college graduates per year represents a major achievement, but improving regional consistency remains a critical challenge.

Conclusions

• The college population is stabilizing but hasn’t fully recovered from its post-2010 decline. While recent gains suggest renewed interest, the total student population remains below the 2010 peak of 21 million, signaling deeper shifts in the perceived value of higher education.
• Demographic trends are reshaping the college landscape. Growth in Hispanic and older student populations, along with sustained female majority enrollment, points to a more diverse and nontraditional student body. Institutions must adapt structurally and culturally to serve these evolving demographics.
• Geographic disparities in access and outcomes are persistent. State-level enrollment and graduation rates vary dramatically, with regions like Florida and Iowa excelling, while others, such as Alaska and Arkansas, struggle. These gaps reflect broader inequalities in educational infrastructure, funding, and policy.
• Higher education is facing a relevance test. Economic pressures and alternative career pathways are pulling students away from traditional college models. The rebound in 2024-2025 may be short-lived if institutions fail to align offerings with workforce demands and learner flexibility.
• Enrollment recovery doesn’t equal success without completion. Despite rising student numbers, graduation rates in many states remain low. Ensuring students not only enroll but also persist through to a degree must be a central focus of education reform efforts nationwide.

Sources

• “Current Term Enrollment Estimates | National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.” National Student Clearinghouse Research Center Home, 22 May 2025, https://nscresearchcenter.org/current-term-enrollment-estimates/. Accessed 08 July 2025.
• Estimates of Resident Population, by Age Group, Live Births, and Fertility Rate: 1970 through 2023. https://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d23/tables/dt23_101.10.asp?current=yeshttps://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d22/tables/dt22_105.10.asp?current=yes. Accessed 08 July 2025.
• Lyss Welding Updated on June 19, 2025. Edited. “College Graduation Rates: Full Statistics | BestColleges.” Best Colleges, 19 June 2025, https://www.bestcolleges.com/research/college-graduation-rates/. Accessed 08 July 2025.
• Projected Number of Participants in Educational Institutions, by Level and Control of Institution: Fall 2022. https://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d22/tables/dt22_105.10.asp?current=yes. Accessed 08 July 2025.
• Rates of High School Completion and Bachelor’s Degree Attainment among Persons Age 25 and over, by Race/Ethnicity and Sex: Selected Years, 1910 through 2023. https://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d23/tables/dt23_104.10.asp?current=yes. Accessed 08 July 2025.