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.

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.

In April 2024, Americans were asked for their opinions on making public colleges and universities tuition-free. Around **** of Democrats indicated their support for tuition-free college. Nearly ******* of Republicans indicated that they strongly oppose tuition-free higher education. While most Independents indicated they would strongly support the measure, there was a fairly even split across all viewpoints.

This statistic shows the opinion of postsecondary students in the United States on whether they would have attended community college after high school if it had been free in 2017. In 2017, ** percent of respondents said that if community college had been free it would not have changed their decisions about where to attend school after high school.

Historical Dataset of Early College is provided by PublicSchoolReview and contain statistics on metrics:Total Students Trends Over Years (2005-2023),Total Classroom Teachers Trends Over Years (2005-2023),Distribution of Students By Grade Trends,Student-Teacher Ratio Comparison Over Years (2005-2023),American Indian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2013-2022),Asian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2007-2023),Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2005-2023),Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2005-2023),White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2005-2023),Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2013-2023),Diversity Score Comparison Over Years (2005-2023),Free Lunch Eligibility Comparison Over Years (2006-2023),Reduced-Price Lunch Eligibility Comparison Over Years (2006-2023),Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Comparison Over Years (2011-2022),Math Proficiency Comparison Over Years (2011-2022),Overall School Rank Trends Over Years (2011-2022),Graduation Rate Comparison Over Years (2012-2022)

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.

This file contains 1) a data dictionary describing data elements and their definitions, and 2) data used in the analysis of administrative burden/behavioral supports in statewide free college programs. Data were gathered from state policy documents and websites in spring/fall 2020.

Financial overview and grant giving statistics of Fresno Free College Foundation

Financial overview and grant giving statistics of Free College Planning Inc.

This paper examines if students' college outcomes are sensitive to access to college admissions tests. I construct a dataset of every test center location and district policy in the United States linked to the universe of individual testing records and a large sample of college enrollment records. I find evidence that SAT taking is responsive to the opening or closing of a testing center at a student's own or a neighboring high school and to policies that provide free in-school administration and default registration. Newly induced takers of high academic aptitude appear likely to attend and graduate from college. (JEL H75, I23, I28)

It's no secret that US university students often graduate with debt repayment obligations that far outstrip their employment and income prospects. While it's understood that students from elite colleges tend to earn more than graduates from less prestigious universities, the finer relationships between future income and university attendance are quite murky. In an effort to make educational investments less speculative, the US Department of Education has matched information from the student financial aid system with federal tax returns to create the College Scorecard dataset.

Kaggle is hosting the College Scorecard dataset in order to facilitate shared learning and collaboration. Insights from this dataset can help make the returns on higher education more transparent and, in turn, more fair.

Data Description

Here's a script showing an exploratory overview of some of the data.

college-scorecard-release-*.zip contains a compressed version of the same data available through Kaggle Scripts.

It consists of three components:

• All the raw data files released in version 1.40 of the college scorecard data
• Scorecard.csv, a single CSV file with all the years data combined. In it, we've converted categorical variables represented by integer keys in the original data to their labels and added a Year column
• database.sqlite, a SQLite database containing a single Scorecard table that contains the same information as Scorecard.csv

New to data exploration in R? Take the free, interactive DataCamp course, "Data Exploration With Kaggle Scripts," to learn the basics of visualizing data with ggplot. You'll also create your first Kaggle Scripts along the way.

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US Community College Market Size 2025-2029

The US community college market size is forecast to increase by USD -7825.8 million, at a CAGR of -2.7% between 2024 and 2029.

The Community College market in the US is experiencing significant shifts driven by the growing emphasis on non-traditional learning and the evolving education marketing process. This trend is fueled by the increasing number of adults returning to education and the need for flexible learning options. However, community colleges face challenges in securing adequate funding, which may hinder their ability to meet the demands of an expanding student population. The education landscape is transforming, with community colleges playing a pivotal role in catering to the needs of non-traditional learners. The marketing process has become increasingly important as institutions compete for students in a crowded market.
Yet, reduced funding poses a significant challenge. Community colleges must navigate this financial obstacle by exploring innovative funding models and cost-effective solutions to maintain their competitiveness and continue providing accessible, affordable education. Adapting to these market dynamics and addressing funding constraints will be crucial for community colleges seeking to capitalize on opportunities and thrive in the evolving educational landscape.

What will be the size of the US Community College Market during the forecast period?

Explore in-depth regional segment analysis with market size data - historical 2019-2023 and forecasts 2025-2029 - in the full report.
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The community college market in the US is characterized by a shift towards hybrid learning and competency-based education, as resource management and curriculum mapping gain prominence. Student recruitment strategies are increasingly data-driven, with mobile learning and learning analytics playing crucial roles. Institutional advancement efforts include compliance regulations, capital campaigns, and board of trustees engagement. Budget allocation and information technology investments are key areas of focus for administrators, with technology infrastructure and program review shaping the future of education. Faculty governance, endowment management, and professional development are essential components of institutional success.
Skills gap analysis and blended learning are critical in addressing workforce needs, while accreditation standards ensure academic rigor. Personalized learning and alumni relations strengthen student engagement, and faculty recruitment and shared governance foster a collaborative learning environment.

How is this market segmented?

The market research report provides comprehensive data (region-wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in 'USD million' for the period 2025-2029, as well as historical data from 2019-2023 for the following segments.

Revenue Stream

  Government funds
  Tuition and fees
  Grants and contracts
  Others


Courses

  Associate degree
  TVET certification
  Continuing education
  Bachelors degree


Student Type

  Traditional
  Non-Traditional
  Online
  Recent High School Graduates
  Adult Learners
  Career Changers


Delivery Mode

  On-Campus
  Online
  Hybrid


Subject Area

  STEM
  Healthcare
  Business
  Liberal Arts


Geography

  North America

    US

By Revenue Stream Insights

The government funds segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period.

Community colleges in the US receive the majority of their revenue from government funds, primarily from state, local, and central sources. These funds support various aspects of college operations, including instructor salaries, staff compensation, and infrastructure improvements. Thirty-two out of the fifty states in the US employ funding formulas to distribute resources to their respective colleges. Some states, such as Washington and Ohio, have adopted performance-based funding models to incentivize enrollment growth and expedite graduation rates. Educational technology plays a significant role in community colleges, with online learning platforms and classroom technology enhancing the learning experience. Dual enrollment programs enable high school students to earn college credits, while GED preparation courses help adults attain their diplomas.

Faculty development and program assessment ensure academic rigor and continuous improvement. International students contribute to campus diversity, with career services and student affairs providing support. Campus safety and accessibility compliance are essential considerations, as are technical skills training, workforce development, certificate programs, and continuing education. Transfer agreements facilitate seamless transitions to four-year institutions, while ESL programs cater to non-native English speakers. Associate degrees and bachelor's

Historical Dataset of Gateway To College is provided by PublicSchoolReview and contain statistics on metrics:Total Students Trends Over Years (2012-2023),Distribution of Students By Grade Trends,Asian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2013-2023),Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2012-2023),Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2012-2023),White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2012-2023),Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2012-2020),Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2012-2023),Diversity Score Comparison Over Years (2012-2023),Free Lunch Eligibility Comparison Over Years (2012-2023),Reduced-Price Lunch Eligibility Comparison Over Years (2012-2020),Graduation Rate Comparison Over Years (2012-2019)

Comprehensive dataset of 37 Community colleges in Free municipal consortium of Syracuse, Italy as of June, 2025. Includes verified contact information (email, phone), geocoded addresses, customer ratings, reviews, business categories, and operational details. Perfect for market research, lead generation, competitive analysis, and business intelligence. Download a complimentary sample to evaluate data quality and completeness.

Comprehensive dataset of 10 Colleges in Free municipal consortium of Syracuse, Italy as of July, 2025. Includes verified contact information (email, phone), geocoded addresses, customer ratings, reviews, business categories, and operational details. Perfect for market research, lead generation, competitive analysis, and business intelligence. Download a complimentary sample to evaluate data quality and completeness.

Comprehensive dataset of 1 Residential colleges in Free municipal consortium of Caltanissetta, Italy as of June, 2025. Includes verified contact information (email, phone), geocoded addresses, customer ratings, reviews, business categories, and operational details. Perfect for market research, lead generation, competitive analysis, and business intelligence. Download a complimentary sample to evaluate data quality and completeness.

About this dataset

Context

The dataset tabulates the College Park household income by age. The dataset can be utilized to understand the age-based income distribution of College Park income.

Content

The dataset will have the following datasets when applicable

Please note: The 2020 1-Year ACS estimates data was not reported by the Census Bureau due to the impact on survey collection and analysis caused by COVID-19. Consequently, median household income data for 2020 is unavailable for large cities (population 65,000 and above).

• College Park, MD annual median income by age groups dataset (in 2022 inflation-adjusted dollars)
• Age-wise distribution of College Park, MD household incomes: Comparative analysis across 16 income brackets

Good to know

Margin of Error

Data in the dataset are based on the estimates and are subject to sampling variability and thus a margin of error. Neilsberg Research recommends using caution when presening these estimates in your research.

Custom data

If you do need custom data for any of your research project, report or presentation, you can contact our research staff at research@neilsberg.com for a feasibility of a custom tabulation on a fee-for-service basis.

Inspiration

Neilsberg Research Team curates, analyze and publishes demographics and economic data from a variety of public and proprietary sources, each of which often includes multiple surveys and programs. The large majority of Neilsberg Research aggregated datasets and insights is made available for free download at https://www.neilsberg.com/research/.

Interested in deeper insights and visual analysis?

Explore our comprehensive data analysis and visual representations for a deeper understanding of College Park income distribution by age. You can refer the same here

Descriptive statistics Descriptive statistics for the dependent and independent variables of this study were presented in Table 1. Out of 3314 undergraduate students in the sample, 2583 (77.9%) expressed their willingness to accept a free HIV test. More than two thirds (66.9%) of these subjects were females and the majority of respondents (94.5%) were Han. Of college students in this sample, nearly two fifths (37.4%) lived in the local city less than one year and about one third (31.0%) were freshmen. Nearly one half (48.2%) of our participants were medical students. To our surprise, 15.2% reported their sexual orientation is non-heterosexual and 55.9% spent less than one thousand Yuan on their monthly living expenses. HIV/AIDS-related knowledge was lacking with only 39.1% of participants answering more than 10 out of twelve questions correctly. Furthermore, stigma and discrimination towards people living with HIV/AIDS were serious, since the number of correct responses that nearly half (45.5%) of the respondents responded to the 24 specific situations was no more than eighteen. The majority of college students mentioned at least one free HIV testing site and also recognized the necessity to provide a free HIV test in the local university (78.8% and 88.7%, respectively). Beyond our expectation, more than half (56.2%) of college students were ignorant of the "Four Frees and One Care" policy. Despite the fact that 18.9% of college students reported having had sexual behavior, only 49.5% perceived the risk of HIV infection. Bivariable analysis The results of the bivariable analysis were shown in Table 1. Those who expressed greater willingness to accept a free HIV test tended to be medical students, higher levels of HIV-related knowledge, lower levels of stigma and discrimination, awareness of the "Four Frees and One Care" policy, knowledge of free HIV testing centers, recognition of the necessity to provide a free HIV test in the local university, and higher perception of the risk of HIV infection. No significant differences were reported between willingness and unwillingness in gender, race, grade, length of time, sexual orientation, monthly living expense, and history of sexual behavior. Multivariable logistic regression analysis The stepwise multiple logistic regression model predicting willingness to accept a free HIV test was shown in Table 2. When all seven significant variables were included into the logistic regression model, only four variables (i.e., stigma and discrimination towards people living with HIV/AIDS, knowledge of free HIV testing centers, recognition of the necessity to provide a free HIV test in the local university, perceived risk of HIV infection) remained statistically significantly related to willingness to participate in a free HIV test, while three variables including major, HIV-related knowledge, and awareness of the “Four Frees and One Care” policy lost their statistical significance, as indicated in Table 2. Among all these four significant predictors, the odds ratio(OR) was the highest for recognition of the necessity to provide a free HIV test in the local university. The college students having recognized the necessity were more likely to express their willingness to accept to a free HIV test (OR=2.20, 95CI=1.73--2.80, P<0.001) than those having not recognized the necessity. The odds of willingness were 1.41 times (95CI=1.17--1.68, P<0.001) of respondents who had lower levels of stigma and discrimination towards people living with HIV/AIDS, compared to that of those with high levels of stigma and discrimination. In addition, being more knowledgeable about free HIV testing centers (OR = 1.44, 95%CI=1.17--1.77, P<0.001) and having higher HIV risk perception (OR =1.64, 95%CI=1.37--1.95, P<0.001) were significantly associated with greater willingness to use VCT service.

About this dataset

Context

The dataset tabulates the population of State College by gender, including both male and female populations. This dataset can be utilized to understand the population distribution of State College across both sexes and to determine which sex constitutes the majority.

Key observations

There is a majority of male population, with 53.83% of total population being male. Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates.

Content

When available, the data consists of estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates.

Scope of gender :

Please note that American Community Survey asks a question about the respondents current sex, but not about gender, sexual orientation, or sex at birth. The question is intended to capture data for biological sex, not gender. Respondents are supposed to respond with the answer as either of Male or Female. Our research and this dataset mirrors the data reported as Male and Female for gender distribution analysis. No further analysis is done on the data reported from the Census Bureau.

Variables / Data Columns

• Gender: This column displays the Gender (Male / Female)
• Population: The population of the gender in the State College is shown in this column.
• % of Total Population: This column displays the percentage distribution of each gender as a proportion of State College total population. Please note that the sum of all percentages may not equal one due to rounding of values.

Good to know

Margin of Error

Data in the dataset are based on the estimates and are subject to sampling variability and thus a margin of error. Neilsberg Research recommends using caution when presening these estimates in your research.

Custom data

If you do need custom data for any of your research project, report or presentation, you can contact our research staff at research@neilsberg.com for a feasibility of a custom tabulation on a fee-for-service basis.

Inspiration

Neilsberg Research Team curates, analyze and publishes demographics and economic data from a variety of public and proprietary sources, each of which often includes multiple surveys and programs. The large majority of Neilsberg Research aggregated datasets and insights is made available for free download at https://www.neilsberg.com/research/.

Recommended for further research

This dataset is a part of the main dataset for State College Population by Race & Ethnicity. You can refer the same here

Historical Dataset of Bard High School Early College is provided by PublicSchoolReview and contain statistics on metrics:Total Students Trends Over Years (2016-2023),Total Classroom Teachers Trends Over Years (2016-2023),Distribution of Students By Grade Trends,Student-Teacher Ratio Comparison Over Years (2016-2023),Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2016-2023),Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2016-2023),White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2016-2023),Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2016-2023),Diversity Score Comparison Over Years (2016-2023),Free Lunch Eligibility Comparison Over Years (2016-2023),Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Comparison Over Years (2017-2022),Math Proficiency Comparison Over Years (2017-2022),Science Proficiency Comparison Over Years (2021-2022),Overall School Rank Trends Over Years (2017-2022),Graduation Rate Comparison Over Years (2017-2022)