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.

Of those aged 20 to 21 years of age in the United States, 52.8 percent were enrolled in higher education as of 2020, a considerable increase when compared to 31.9 percent in 1970. For those aged 18 to 19, 49 percent were enrolled in higher education in 2020.

In 2020, 59 percent of high school graduates from families in the lowest income quartile in the United States enrolled in college. This was a decrease of one percent from the previous year.

In the academic year of 2023/24, around 21 million students were enrolled for undergraduate degrees in the United States. This was a slight increase from the previous year, when 20.6 million students were enrolled as undergraduates.

In 2022, there were approximately 107,700 students with American Indian or Alaskan Native heritage enrolled at a university in the United States. This is a slight increase from the previous year, when there were 106,600 students with American Indian or Alaska Native heritage enrolled in postsecondary education.

In 2022, about 6.57 million male students were enrolled in degree-granting postsecondary institutions as undergraduates. This is compared to 8.82 million female undergraduate students who were enrolled in that same year. By 2031, these figures are projected to increase to 7.12 million and 9.7 million respectively.

In the academic year 2024, the enrollment rate in universities and junior colleges reached around 62.8 percent for male students and 61.7 percent for female students in Japan. The share of young women attending higher education institutions increased more than tenfold in the past 60 years. The overall direct enrollment rate after high school graduation was 62 percent.

This statistic shows the share of 18 to 19 year olds in different states across the United States who were enrolled in college or other higher education programs as of 2010. In California 52.1 percent of 18 to 19 year olds were enrolled in college in 2010.

This statistic shows the share of 25 to 34 year olds in different states across the United States who were enrolled in college or other higher education programs as of 2010. In the District of Columbia, 18.9 percent of 25 to 34 year olds were enrolled in college in 2010.

This statistic shows the share of 20 to 24 year olds in different states across the United States who were enrolled in college or other higher education programs as of 2010. In Massachusetts, 51.2 percent of 20 to 24 year olds were enrolled in college in 2010.

In 2021, about 20.6 percent of postsecondary students in the United States were Hispanic. This is a slight increase from 20.3 percent in the previous year. In that same year, White students made up more than half of postsecondary students, at 53.4 percent.

In 2029, the projected number of White high school students enrolled in four-year colleges in the United States was around 1,913,800, a decrease when compared to 2,266,000 in 2019. For Hispanic high school students, however, the projected number of those enrolled in college in 2029 was approximately 620,000, an increase from 607,400 in 2019.

In 2023, the gross enrollment rate in tertiary education in China reached 60.2 percent of the respective age cohorts. The total number of enrolled degree students in tertiary education increased to 47.63 million that same year. The great expansion of tertiary education in China is shown by the fact that the enrollment rate ranged at only 3.4 percent in 1990.

In 2024, South Korea had around 2.36 million enrolled students, with about 492,000 in junior colleges and 1.86 million in universities. The total number of students in South Korea has declined in recent years.

In 2024, the enrollment rate of eligible students at South Korean higher education institutions reached around 74.9 percent, a slight decrease compared to the previous year. During the 1980s and 1990s, enrollment rates in higher education institutions experienced a remarkable surge. This increase can be attributed to several factors, including a growing public awareness of the importance of higher education in securing better employment opportunities and improving the quality of life. Top universities and competition South Korea is home to hundreds of universities and community colleges. However, gaining admission to top-tier universities, such as Seoul National University, Korea University, and Yonsei University, is extremely competitive. These institutions are highly regarded for the quality of education they provide and the social prestige associated with their degrees. Graduating from a prestigious university often leads to better job opportunities and is considered a significant advantage in South Korean society. International students South Korea has become a popular destination for international students worldwide. South Korean universities offer various programs, high-quality education, and an opportunity to immerse oneself in a rich cultural experience. This influx of international students has led to collaborative efforts between South Korean universities and foreign institutions, such as credit exchanges, joint degree programs, and collaborative research projects. A notable initiative in this effort is the establishment of the Incheon Global Campus, which serves as a central hub for Western colleges and universities looking to set up branch campuses in South Korea.

In 2018, 18 to 21-year-olds, who were part of Generation Z were more likely to be enrolled in college in comparison to Millennials and Generation X cohorts at a corresponding age. 57 percent of Generation Z was enrolled in college in 2018 compared to 43 percent of Gen Xers in 1987.

This statistic shows the enrollment in colleges and universities in Macao from 2013 to 2023. In 2023, more than 55,600 students had been enrolled in institutions of higher education in Macao.

From 2010 to 2020, Alaska experienced a 35 percent decrease in full-time equivalent (FTE) student enrollment at public, four-year higher education institutions. Almost all states saw a decrease in FTE student enrollment over that time period. In the United States as a whole, FTE enrollemtnt at public, four-year institutions decreased by eight percent between 2010 and 2020.

In 2021, there were approximately 9.5 million full-time and 5.95 million part-time students enrolled in university in the United States. By 2031, these figures are projected to increase to 10.26 million and 6.56 million respectively. The total past and forecasted enrollment of students in U.S. colleges can be accessed here.

In 2021, there were around 1.99 million female Hispanic undergraduate students enrolled in U.S. universities, as compared to 1.32 million Hispanic male undergraduate students. This is a decrease from the previous year, when 2.03 million female students and 1.33 million male students were enrolled as undergraduates in U.S. universities. This decrease is likely due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.