There were approximately 18.58 million college students in the U.S. in 2022, with around 13.49 million enrolled in public colleges and a further 5.09 million students enrolled in private colleges. The figures are projected to remain relatively constant over the next few years.

What is the most expensive college in the U.S.? The overall number of higher education institutions in the U.S. totals around 4,000, and California is the state with the most. One important factor that students – and their parents – must consider before choosing a college is cost. With annual expenses totaling almost 78,000 U.S. dollars, Harvey Mudd College in California was the most expensive college for the 2021-2022 academic year. There are three major costs of college: tuition, room, and board. The difference in on-campus and off-campus accommodation costs is often negligible, but they can change greatly depending on the college town.

The differences between public and private colleges Public colleges, also called state colleges, are mostly funded by state governments. Private colleges, on the other hand, are not funded by the government but by private donors and endowments. Typically, private institutions are  much more expensive. Public colleges tend to offer different tuition fees for students based on whether they live in-state or out-of-state, while private colleges have the same tuition cost for every student.

In an impressive increase from years past, 39 percent of women in the United States had completed four years or more of college in 2022. This figure is up from 3.8 percent of women in 1940. A significant increase can also be seen in males, with 36.2 percent of the U.S. male population having completed four years or more of college in 2022, up from 5.5 percent in 1940.

4- and 2-year colleges

In the United States, college students are able to choose between attending a 2-year postsecondary program and a 4-year postsecondary program. Generally, attending a 2-year program results in an Associate’s Degree, and 4-year programs result in a Bachelor’s Degree.

Many 2-year programs are designed so that attendees can transfer to a college or university offering a 4-year program upon completing their Associate’s. Completion of a 4-year program is the generally accepted standard for entry-level positions when looking for a job.

Earnings after college

Factors such as gender, degree achieved, and the level of postsecondary education can have an impact on employment and earnings later in life. Some Bachelor’s degrees continue to attract more male students than female, particularly in STEM fields, while liberal arts degrees such as education, languages and literatures, and communication tend to see higher female attendance.

All of these factors have an impact on earnings after college, and despite nearly the same rate of attendance within the American population between males and females, men with a Bachelor’s Degree continue to have higher weekly earnings on average than their female counterparts.

In 2022, about 37.7 percent of the U.S. population who were aged 25 and above had graduated from college or another higher education institution, a slight decline from 37.9 the previous year. However, this is a significant increase from 1960, when only 7.7 percent of the U.S. population had graduated from college. Demographics Educational attainment varies by gender, location, race, and age throughout the United States. Asian-American and Pacific Islanders had the highest level of education, on average, while Massachusetts and the District of Colombia are areas home to the highest rates of residents with a bachelor’s degree or higher. However, education levels are correlated with wealth. While public education is free up until the 12th grade, the cost of university is out of reach for many Americans, making social mobility increasingly difficult. Earnings White Americans with a professional degree earned the most money on average, compared to other educational levels and races. However, regardless of educational attainment, males typically earned far more on average compared to females. Despite the decreasing wage gap over the years in the country, it remains an issue to this day. Not only is there a large wage gap between males and females, but there is also a large income gap linked to race as well.

The Colleges and Universities feature class/shapefile is composed of all Post Secondary Education facilities as defined by the Integrated Post Secondary Education System (IPEDS, http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/), National Center for Education Statistics (NCES, https://nces.ed.gov/), US Department of Education for the 2018-2019 school year. Included are Doctoral/Research Universities, Masters Colleges and Universities, Baccalaureate Colleges, Associates Colleges, Theological seminaries, Medical Schools and other health care professions, Schools of engineering and technology, business and management, art, music, design, Law schools, Teachers colleges, Tribal colleges, and other specialized institutions. Overall, this data layer covers all 50 states, as well as Puerto Rico and other assorted U.S. territories. This feature class contains all MEDS/MEDS+ as approved by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) Homeland Security Infrastructure Program (HSIP) Team. Complete field and attribute information is available in the ”Entities and Attributes” metadata section. Geographical coverage is depicted in the thumbnail above and detailed in the "Place Keyword" section of the metadata. This feature class does not have a relationship class but is related to Supplemental Colleges. Colleges and Universities that are not included in the NCES IPEDS data are added to the Supplemental Colleges feature class when found. This release includes the addition of 175 new records, the removal of 468 no longer reported by NCES, and modifications to the spatial location and/or attribution of 6682 records.

The number of graduates from colleges and universities across Taiwan

This statistic shows the share of first year college students who enrolled in institutions that were in the state where they already lived in 2016. In the fall of 2016, 78.5 percent of all first year students across the United States enrolled in colleges that were situated in the state where they lived.

The dataset contains academic year-, state- and zone-wise compiled data on total number of colleges, number of colleges per one lakh population and average number students (of age group 18 to 23 years) enrolled in government and private (aided/unaided) colleges from the year 2011-11 to 2020-21

This map shows the percentage of people age 25+ whose highest education level is some college. This is shown by state, county, and census tracts throughout the US. Zoom to any city to see the pattern there, or use one of the bookmarks to explore different areas.Some college education means that the individual has some college credits, but no degree. For more information from the Census Bureau, click here.The pop-up is configured to show the overall breakdown of educational attainment for the population 25+. The data shown is current-year American Community Survey (ACS) data from the US Census Bureau. The data is updated each year when the ACS releases its new 5-year estimates. For more information about the data, visit this page.To learn more about when the ACS releases data updates, click here.

Endowment returns for many universities skyrocketed early in the current period, largely fueled by booming private equity and hedge fund activity. In 2021, private nonprofit universities saw a staggering 684.0% jump in investment returns. In contrast, public universities, which typically hold smaller endowments invested more in US equities and fixed-income assets, experienced more modest gains. Meanwhile, inflation and rising interest rates in 2022 reversed the boom for private nonprofits, while public universities' endowments' focus on fixed-income assets stabilized their returns. Skyrocketing investment returns bolstered surpluses, but rising wage expenditures among expanding staff sizes have since brought down profit. Revenue has been sinking at a CAGR of 1.3% over the five years through 2025 to an estimated $591.0 billion despite an expected 0.7% rise in 2025 alone. Colleges and universities are contending with sluggish enrollment growth. Lackluster job placement rates and the highly publicized student debt crisis have made many potential students skeptical of a college degree's return on investment. With judicial reviews rendering the Biden administration's efforts to ease the burden of student debt unsuccessful, student loans remain a major deterrent for consumers. Many have instead opted for cheaper trade schools with reliable connections to employers. Community colleges' affordable prices are also making them a larger competitive threat to four-year universities. In response, universities are hiring capable staff and ramping up marketing campaigns to promote the value of their degree programs. Mounting automation will encourage many to enroll in a university to switch to a new field with more job security. Student loans will become more attractive as inflation stabilizes and the Federal Reserve continues to lower interest rates, encouraging traditional university enrollment. Still, the Trump administration's end to student debt forgiveness initiatives will lead to more price sensitivity among potential students, intensifying competition both between universities and with other cheaper options for postsecondary education. The new budget reconciliation bill will also impose both benefits and challenges for universities, including higher taxes on endowments, lower graduate program borrowing limits and tightened gainful employment rules. International students will remain a valuable revenue stream, especially as legislative changes in Canada promote higher education in the US with students from overseas. Revenue is set to swell at a CAGR of 0.7% to an estimated $610.8 billion through the end of 2030.

Community colleges in the US are undergoing a significant transformation, shaped by shifting student demand, economic pressures and volatile public policy in the wake of COVID. Between 2020 and 2025, community colleges have transitioned from pandemic emergency response to a phase of strategic recovery and adaptation. Following a dramatic enrollment decline during COVID-19, when students paused their education because of public health concerns, economic instability and the rapid transition to online learning, the industry is now experiencing a significant rebound. In spring 2025, two-year colleges saw a 5.4% surge in attendance, the strongest growth among all undergraduate settings. Several factors drove this growth: inflation and rising living costs made community colleges’ lower tuition more attractive, while skepticism about the value of a four-year degree prompted more students to seek affordable, flexible programs that quickly build in-demand skills. Despite rising enrollment, revenue has increased at a CAGR of 0.9%, reaching an estimated $75.2 billion in 2025, because most new students pay low tuition, state funding growth remains modest and operating challenges strain resources. As a result, colleges benefit from stronger demand without a corresponding boost in revenue or profit. Community colleges' policy and regulatory landscape is evolving rapidly at the federal and state levels. Recent federal actions, including the Trump administration’s elimination of race-based admissions practices and equity action plans, signal a move from earlier diversity and accountability requirements tied to federal funding. Persistent FAFSA processing delays and confusing changes have disrupted access to financial aid and uncertainty around Pell Grant structure and funding complicates efforts to support low-income students. State policy directions vary widely: while states like Ohio are imposing new restrictions on DEI initiatives and faculty rights, and New Jersey is contemplating a $20.0 billion funding cut, others like Illinois are expanding community colleges’ authority to offer bachelor’s degrees in high-demand fields. While ongoing policy reforms, demographic shifts and affordability concerns will continue to shape the industry, community colleges are poised to play a crucial role in broadening access to higher education and supporting targeted workforce growth. Colleges face strong tailwinds from increased demand for affordable, career-focused programs, growing interest in upskilling and new private-sector partnerships. However, uncertain funding, regulatory volatility and persistent financial aid challenges remain significant headwinds. Converting higher enrollment into stronger financial health will require stable resources, policy agility and ongoing innovation to serve a diverse student population. Overall, revenue is forecast to rise slowly at CAGR of 0.1%, reaching $75.5 billion in 2030.

Graph and download economic data for Consumer Unit Characteristics: Number of People in CU by Highest Education: Less Than College Graduate: Associate's Degree (CXU980010LB1406M) from 2012 to 2023 about no college, consumer unit, associate degree, education, persons, and USA.

Graph and download economic data for Consumer Unit Characteristics: Number of People in CU by Education: High School Graduate with Some College (CXU980010LB1305M) from 1995 to 2012 about no college, consumer unit, secondary schooling, secondary, education, persons, and USA.

Introduction

College Dropout Statistics: Leaving College before finishing a degree happens more often than many people realise, and the numbers are surprising. Each year, millions of students drop out of College, which can lead to long-term financial difficulties, limited career options, and unfulfilled personal goals. Some of the main reasons include high tuition costs, challenging coursework, and inadequate support.

These dropout rates reveal serious issues within the education system that impact not only students but also their families and the U.S. economy. In this article,†College Dropout Statistics, we'll look at the latest college dropout stats, the most common reasons students quit, how dropout rates differ by gender and race, and how leaving College early can affect future income. Knowing these facts can help students, parents, and schools make better decisions about higher education.

Students from the Chinese ethnic group had the highest entry rate into higher education in every year from 2006 to 2024.

In 2029, the projected number of White high school students enrolled in four-year colleges in the United States was around *********, a decrease when compared to ********* in 2019. For Hispanic high school students, however, the projected number of those enrolled in college in 2029 was approximately *******, an increase from ******* in 2019.

The Back To College Market size was valued at USD 374.7 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 499.76 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 4.2 % during the forecasts period. Back to college refers to the process of returning to higher education after a period away from academic pursuits. This term often applies to non-traditional students who may have taken a break from their studies due to various life circumstances such as career demands, family responsibilities, or military service. The decision to go back to college is typically driven by a desire to enhance career opportunities, fulfill personal goals, or pursue intellectual growth. Returning to college can be a transformative experience, offering a chance to acquire new skills, expand knowledge, and potentially change career paths. It involves re-engaging with the academic community, adapting to new learning environments, and balancing educational commitments with other life responsibilities. With the rise of online and flexible learning options, going back to college has become more accessible, allowing individuals to tailor their education to fit their schedules.

The Educational Services sector comprises 13 subsectors of the US economy, ranging from public schools to testing and educational support services. Primary, secondary and postsecondary schools alone generate 92.0% of the sector's revenue. Most of these institutions rely entirely on government funding, and nearly three-quarters of the educational services revenue comes from public schools and public universities. Accordingly, strong federal, state and local support for all levels of education has driven revenue upward over the past five years. Expanding discretionary budgets made private schools and higher education more affordable for students and parents, but the Trump administration's changing policies have brought new complications. Still, substantial funding and skyrocketing investment returns for private nonprofit universities have elevated revenue. Revenue has climbed at a CAGR of 4.6% to an estimated $2.7 trillion through the end of 2025, when revenue will rise by 1.1%. Solid state and local government funding for education has helped support the sector's success despite fluctuating enrollment. Faltering birth rates are leading to lower headcounts in K-12 schools, and ballooning student debt has made many would-be college students skeptical of the return on investment of an expensive degree. While student loan forgiveness efforts slowed a decline in the number of college students, the new presidential administration's end to these efforts has begun to exacerbate price-based and quality-based competition among higher education institutions. President Trump's scrutiny of course curricula has made public funds harder to acquire for schools, and the administration's efforts to close the Department of Education have begun to deter would-be students from attending college. Trends in the domestic economy are set to move in the Educational Services sector's favor over the next five years as prospective students become better able to pay for rising tuition rates and premium education options. Government funding for primary, secondary and postsecondary institutions will continue to escalate through the next period, though lackluster enrollment will temper revenue growth. Public schools, which account for over half the sector's revenue, will continue to post losses and drag down the average profit for educational services. New school choice initiatives, including Texas's new, largest-ever voucher program, will make private schools more affordable for parents. However, heightened oversight and continued efforts to close the Department of Education will remain a significant pain point for many educational services. Overall, revenue is set to climb at a CAGR of 0.8% to $2.8 trillion through the end of 2030.

Analysis of ‘Where it Pays to Attend College’ provided by Analyst-2 (analyst-2.ai), based on source dataset retrieved from https://www.kaggle.com/wsj/college-salaries on 20 November 2021.

--- Dataset description provided by original source is as follows ---

Salary Increase By Type of College

Party school? Liberal Arts college? State School? You already know your starting salary will be different depending on what type of school you attend. But, increased earning power shows less disparity. Ten years out, graduates of Ivy League schools earned 99% more than they did at graduation. Party school graduates saw an 85% increase. Engineering school graduates fared worst, earning 76% more 10 years out of school. See where your school ranks.

Salaries By Region

Attending college in the Midwest leads to the lowest salary both at graduation and at mid-career, according to the PayScale Inc. survey. Graduates of schools in the Northeast and California fared best.

Salary Increase By Major

Your parents might have worried when you chose Philosophy or International Relations as a major. But a year-long survey of 1.2 million people with only a bachelor's degree by PayScale Inc. shows that graduates in these subjects earned 103.5% and 97.8% more, respectively, about 10 years post-commencement. Majors that didn't show as much salary growth include Nursing and Information Technology.

All data was obtained from the Wall Street Journal based on data from Payscale, Inc:

• Salaries for Colleges by Type
• Salaries for Colleges by Region
• Degrees that Pay you Back

--- Original source retains full ownership of the source dataset ---

1. The number of full-time faculty in various departments of colleges and universities.2. The data is the same as that on the "Teaching 1-1. Number of Full-time Faculty - Statistics by Department (Institute)" and "Teaching 1-2. Number of Full-time Faculty - Statistics by School" of the college and university affairs information open platform.

Contained within this dataset is a curated selection of university characteristics, encompassing acceptance rates, tuition costs, average SAT scores, and median household incomes. The original data source for this compilation is the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/data/. In order to create a more manageable dataset size, specific attributes have been selectively included.