After years of decline, U.S. college enrollment is finally making a strong comeback. In the 2024-2025 academic year, an estimated 19.1 million students are enrolled in colleges and universities nationwide, with 16 million undergraduates and 3.2 million graduate students. This marks a 4.5% increase from the previous year, the biggest surge in recent history, signaling a renewed interest in higher education.
Notably, enrollment among students aged 25 and older jumped by 19.7%, reflecting a growing trend of adults returning to education. Business remains the top major, while STEM and healthcare fields continue to grow. Public colleges enroll nearly 68% of students, emphasizing affordability.
This article covers the latest college enrollment trends, demographics, and key insights shaping higher education in 2025.
College Enrollment Statistics: Key Highlights
- U.S. college enrollment increased by 4.5% in 2024, reaching 19.1 million students, marking the largest surge in recent years.
- The majority of students, about 84%, are enrolled in undergraduate programs, with bachelor’s degrees being the most popular choice at 8.76 million students.
- Graduate enrollment stands at 3.2 million students, with master’s programs leading at 2.08 million students.
- Public institutions enroll nearly 68% of students, mainly due to their affordability.
- Public four-year universities have the highest enrollment share at 42%, followed by community colleges at 25.8% and private nonprofit colleges at 22%.
- Women continue to outnumber men in higher education, making up 54% of undergraduate and 58% of graduate students.
- The 18-24 age group represents 65% of undergraduate students.
- Racial diversity remains significant, with white students making up 40% of undergraduates and Hispanic students accounting for 19%.
How Many People Go To College In The United States?
As of the 2024-2025 academic year, an estimated 19.1 million students are enrolled in colleges and universities across the United States. This includes approximately 16 million undergraduate students and 3.2 million graduate students.
Undergraduate enrollment for Fall 2025 is expected to see a slight increase, reaching 19.57 million students.
Source: National Student Clearing Research Center, BestColleges, Education Data.
College Enrollment Statistics For 2025 (Latest Trends)
After years of decline, college enrollment in the U.S. saw a major comeback in 2024, increasing by 4.5% compared to the previous year—the biggest rise in recent history.
This growth is significant, especially after the enrollment drops following the COVID-19 pandemic, which primarily affected undergraduate students, while graduate enrollment remained steady or grew slightly.
The first signs of recovery appeared in fall 2023, and by fall 2024, first-year student enrollment was up by 5.5%. Notably, the biggest surge came from older first-year students:
- Ages 21-24: Enrollment jumped 16.7%
- Ages 25 and older: Enrollment surged 19.7%
- Ages 19-20: A modest 4.5% increase
- Age 18 (traditional freshmen): A smaller 3.4% rise
This shift suggests that more adults are returning to college, possibly to reskill, switch careers, or take advantage of economic opportunities.
| Year | Undergraduate Change | Graduate Change | Total Enrollment Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | -3.3% | 2.9% | Decline due to the pandemic |
| 2021 | -3.5% | 2.1% | Continued drop |
| 2022 | -0.9% | 0.2% | Near stabilization |
| 2023 | 0.6% | 1.2% | First signs of recovery |
| 2024 | 3.3% | 4.7% | Largest increase in years |
The strong 2024 enrollment numbers signal a renewed interest in higher education, particularly among non-traditional students.
Source: National Student Clearing Research Center, BestColleges.
College Enrollment by Degree
College education continues to play a big role in the U.S., with 19.15 million students enrolled in the 2024-2025 academic year.
Most of them—over 16 million (84%)—are in undergraduate programs, showing just how popular these degrees are.
Among undergraduates, Bachelor’s degrees lead the way, with 8.76 million students, almost twice as many as those in Associate degree programs (4.74 million). Meanwhile, 2.45 million students are choosing certificates and other short-term programs, which highlights the growing demand for skill-based education.
Graduate programs have fewer students, and specialized fields like law and dentistry attract even fewer, only 346,000, likely due to their high costs and competitive entry requirements. Still, with such strong overall enrollment, it’s clear that higher education remains a priority for many in the U.S.
Here is a table displaying the number of students enrolled in undergraduate-level programs in the United States:
| Education Level | Number of Students |
|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 4,740,000 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 8,764,000 |
| Undergraduate Certificates & Non-Degree Programs | 2,453,000 |
Here is a table displaying the number of students enrolled in graduate-level programs in the United States:
| Education Level | Number of Students |
|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 2,075,000 |
| Professional Programs (e.g., JD, DDS) | 346,000 |
| Doctoral Degree | 642,000 |
| Graduate Certificates & Non-Degree Programs | 128,000 |
Source: National Student Clearing Research Center, BestColleges.
College Enrollment By Subject
Business continues to be the most sought-after major in four-year colleges, while liberal arts and sciences dominate in two-year institutions.
Healthcare stands out as a priority for students at both the two-year and graduate levels, reflecting the growing demand for medical professionals.
Meanwhile, STEM fields—including computer science, engineering, and information technology—remain consistently popular across all levels of higher education, as students seek careers in technology and innovation.
Undergraduate Majors in Four-Year Institutions
Business remained the top choice among students enrolled in four-year colleges, attracting more than 5% of students, while STEM-related fields such as computer science and engineering also ranked among the most popular.
| Major | Percentage of Students |
|---|---|
| Business | 5.37% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | 3.84% |
| Computer Science and Technology | 3.46% |
| Engineering | 3.33% |
Source: Education Data.
Undergraduate Majors in Two-Year Institutions
In two-year colleges, liberal arts and sciences led the way, with 15% of students choosing this field. Other popular choices included:
| Major | Percentage of Students |
|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | 15.0% |
| Healthcare | 7.80% |
| Business | 5.15% |
| Computer and Information Technology | 2.38% |
Healthcare programs were a significant choice, reflecting the growing demand for professionals in the medical field.
Source: Education Data.
Graduate Majors in Fall 2024
For students pursuing advanced degrees, healthcare was the leading field, with 11.8% of graduate students enrolled in healthcare programs. Other major fields included:
| Major | Percentage of Students |
|---|---|
| Healthcare | 11.8% |
| Business | 7.21% |
| Education | 6.76% |
| Computer and Information Technology | 3.49% |
Graduate-level programs in business and education also attracted a significant number of students, preparing them for leadership roles in their industries.
Source: Education Data.
College Enrollment By Institution Type
Most students in the U.S. choose public colleges and universities, with 67.8% of total enrollment going to these institutions.
Their affordability and accessibility make them a popular choice.
Among them, public four-year colleges lead the way, attracting 42% of students, the highest share of any school type. Community colleges (public two-year schools) follow closely, with 25.8% enrollment, playing a key role in providing affordable education and transfer opportunities.
While public schools dominate, private nonprofit four-year colleges still enroll 22% of students, showing that many still value private education despite the higher tuition costs.
On the other hand, private for-profit four-year colleges have the lowest enrollment at just 4.8%, indicating lower trust or demand compared to public and nonprofit schools. Meanwhile, public PAB (Primarily Associate’s & Baccalaureate) institutions enroll 5.4% of students, catering to a smaller but significant niche in higher education.
Here is a table displaying the share of students enrolled in different institutions:
| School Type | Percentage of Students Enrolled |
|---|---|
| Public Four-Year | 42% |
| Public Two-Year (Community Colleges) | 25.8% |
| Private Nonprofit Four-Year | 22% |
| Public PAB (Primarily Associate’s & Baccalaureate) | 5.4% |
| Private For-Profit Four-Year | 4.8% |
Source: National Student Clearing Research Center, BestColleges.
College Enrollment Demographics
College enrollment demographics provide a detailed look at the diversity of students pursuing higher education in Fall 2024. Women continue to outnumber men at both undergraduate and graduate levels, while younger students dominate undergraduate programs.
Racial diversity remains significant, with no single racial majority, and socioeconomic background plays a key role in access to higher education.
College Enrollment by Gender
Among undergraduate students, 8.7 million were women, compared to 6.4 million men.
At the graduate level, the gap was even wider, with 1.9 million women and 1.1 million men enrolled.
In the fall of 2024, women continued to outnumber men in higher education. Women make up the majority of both undergraduate (54%) and graduate (58%) students, continuing a long-term trend in higher education.
Men account for 40% of undergraduates and 36% of graduate students, showing a persistent gender gap.
Interestingly, 6% of students (around 1 million) did not disclose their gender. However, official reports do not track nonbinary, transgender, or intersex students. A 2022 study by LGBTQ+ expert Genny Beemyn, Ph.D., found that 2.15% of college applicants identified as trans or nonbinary, indicating that gender diversity in higher education may be underreported.
Here is a table displaying the distribution of college enrollments of Fall 2024 by gender:
| Gender | Undergraduate | Graduate |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 54% | 58% |
| Men | 40% | 36% |
| Gender Unknown/Unreported | 6% | 6% |
Source: National Student Clearing Research Center, BestColleges.
College Enrollment by Age
The 18-24 age group makes up about 65% of undergraduates, with over 10.3 million students enrolled.
Surprisingly, over 1.6 million students (10%) are 17 or younger, likely due to dual-enrollment programs that allow high school students to earn college credits.
Here is a table displaying the college enrollment of students in undergraduate programs for Fall 2024 by age group:
| Age Group | Undergraduate Enrollment Number | Percentage of Total |
|---|---|---|
| 17 or Younger | 1,628,211 | 10% |
| 18-20 | 6,608,534 | 40.6% |
| 21-24 | 3,757,532 | 23.1% |
| 25-29 | 1,377,493 | 8.5% |
| 30 or Older | 2,578,937 | 15.8% |
Nearly 57% of graduate students (about 1.82 million) are younger than 30, indicating that many pursue a master’s or professional degree soon after completing their undergraduate studies.
The 24-or-younger group (896,550) and the 25-29 group (927,900) are nearly equal, showing a steady transition from undergraduate to graduate education. Over 1.36 million graduate students (43%) are 30 or older
Here is a table displaying the college enrollment of students in graduate programs for Fall 2024 by age group:
| Age Group | Graduate Enrollment Number | Percentage of Total |
|---|---|---|
| 24 or Younger | 896,550 | 28.1% |
| 25-29 | 927,900 | 29.1% |
| 30-39 | 765,112 | 24.0% |
| 40-49 | 392,682 | 12.3% |
| 50 or Older | 206,208 | 6.5% |
Source: National Student Clearing Research Center, BestColleges.
College Enrollment by Race or Ethnicity
White students are the largest group, representing 40% of undergraduates and 41% of graduate students.
Hispanic students make up 19% of undergraduate enrollments, making them the second-largest racial group. However, their representation in graduate programs drops to just 10%, suggesting lower continuation rates for advanced degrees.
Black students account for 11% of both undergraduate and graduate enrollments, showing stable participation across education levels.
Here is a table displaying the distribution of enrolled students for Fall 2024 by race:
| Race/ Ethnicity | Undergraduate Enrollment | Percentage of Undergraduates | Graduate Enrollment | Percentage of Graduate Students |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White | 6,326,439 | 40% | 1,303,653 | 41% |
| Hispanic | 3,012,158 | 19% | 312,126 | 10% |
| Black | 1,793,025 | 11% | 337,848 | 11% |
| Asian | 951,972 | 6% | 253,825 | 8% |
| Native American | 106,292 | 1% | 17,557 | 1% |
| Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander | 41,472 | 0% | 5,487 | 0% |
| Multiracial | 717,846 | 4% | 123,406 | 4% |
| International | 163,250 | 1% | 161,972 | 5% |
| Unknown or unreported | 2,843,496 | 18% | 489,370 | 15% |
Source: NSCRC
College Enrollment by Income
Students from the wealthiest neighborhoods (top 20%) make up 30.1% of college enrollments, showing that higher-income areas have greater access to higher education.
Only 12.3% of college students come from the least wealthy neighborhoods (bottom 20%), highlighting a significant gap in college access based on socioeconomic status.
Here is a table displaying the share of students enrolled in the Fall 2024 class in the United States by Income:
| Income Level | Percentage of Enrollment |
|---|---|
| Bottom Quintile | 12.3% |
| Lower Middle Quintile | 15.1% |
| Middle Quintile | 18.8% |
| Upper Middle Quintile | 23.8% |
| Top Quintile | 30.1% |
Source: NSCRC
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State College Enrollment Statistics
California, Texas, and New York have the most college students, with 2.45 million, 1.6 million, and 1.06 million enrollments, respectively. This makes sense since they are among the most populated states.
Overall, college enrollment grew in almost every state between fall 2023 and fall 2024. However, a few places saw a slight drop, including Nebraska (-0.6%), Vermont (-0.6%), and Washington, D.C. (-1.9%).
Interestingly, 1.45 million students are enrolled in online or multi-state programs, making it the third-largest enrollment group after Texas and California.
On the other hand, Alaska (19.8K), Wyoming (28.8K), and Vermont (35K) have the lowest number of college students, which is expected due to their smaller populations.
States with the highest number of student enrollments recorded in Fall 2024:
| State | Enrollment | YoY Percentage Change |
|---|---|---|
| New York | 1,066,149 | 6.1% |
| Texas | 1,600,344 | 3.6% |
| Online/Multi-State | 1,452,812 | 5.5% |
| California | 2,455,537 | 4.1% |
| Florida | 952,228 | 5.2% |
| Pennsylvania | 683,868 | 1.8% |
| Illinois | 620,773 | 2.0% |
| North Carolina | 572,144 | 9.7% |
| Georgia | 559,196 | 5.2% |
| Ohio | 554,122 | 3.8% |
| Virginia | 521,957 | 2.1% |
| Arizona | 518,704 | 6% |
States with the lowest number of student enrollments recorded in Fall 2024:
| State | Enrollment | YoY Percentage Change |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | 19,818 | 2.1% |
| Wyoming | 28,832 | 2.4% |
| Vermont | 35,092 | -0.6% |
| Montana | 47,922 | 2.0% |
| South Dakota | 48,357 | 6.2% |
| New Hampshire | 50,772 | 7.2% |
| North Dakota | 52,094 | 3.5% |
| Hawaii | 55,572 | 2.9% |
| Delaware | 57,392 | 2.6% |
| Rhode Island | 68,414 | 1.5% |
Source: NSCRC
