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 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.

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

Data product is provided by ASL Marketing. It contains current college students who are attending colleges and universities nationwide. Connect with this market by: Class Year Field of Study Home/School address College Attending Ethnicity School Type Region Sports Conference Gender eSports Email

The Higher Education General Information Survey (HEGIS) series was designed to provide comprehensive information on various aspects of postsecondary education in the United States and its territories (American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and the Marshall Islands) and Department of Defense schools outside the United States. Data are available for both public and private two-year and four-year institutions. The HEGIS Fall Enrollment component for 1981 sought enrollment data from 3,294 institutions of higher education. Key data elements include number of full-time and part-time students by class level, sex, and race, as well as total number of students. Additional data include the institutions' type of accreditation and type of calendar system.

In 2022, there were approximately *** million full-time and **** million part-time students enrolled in university in the United States. By 2031, these figures are projected to increase to ***** million and **** million respectively. The total past and forecasted enrollment of students in U.S. colleges can be accessed here.

Graph and download economic data for Unemployment Rate - Enrolled in College Full Time 16-24 Yrs. (LNU04023002) from Jan 1985 to Jun 2025 about 16 to 24 years, enrolled, full-time, tertiary schooling, education, unemployment, rate, and USA.

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 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.

This statistic shows the share of full and part-time enrollment of current and prospective college students in the United States in 2015. In 2015, 60 percent of current and prospective students indicated that they either were enrolled or planned to enroll as full-time students in college.

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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

The Higher Education General Information Survey (HEGIS) series was designed to provide comprehensive information on various aspects of postsecondary education in the United States and its territories (American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and the Marshall Islands) and Department of Defense schools outside the United States. Data are available for both public and private two-year and four-year institutions. The HEGIS Fall Enrollment component for 1968 sought enrollment data from institutions of higher education. Key data elements, presented for up to five record types for each institution, include total enrollments of full-time and part-time students by class level, sex, race, and first-time enrollment status, as well as information on the institutions' type of accreditation, type of calendar system, and total number of students.

Contains data files (.csv format) related to compensation, salaries, diversity, and student academic performance at American colleges and universities. Data is from 2008-2023, with data primarily from 2018-2021. Each file has a related data dictionary in a .txt file.

Abstract (en): The purpose of this data collection was to provide a more accurate measure of the racial/ethnic enrollment in postsecondary institutions in the United States than was previously available. The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) collects racial/ethnic enrollment data from higher education institutions on an annual basis. Some institutions do not report these data, and their "unknown" categories have previously been distributed in direct proportion to the "knowns." This resulted in lower than accurate figures for the racial/ethnic categories. With the advent of the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), NCES has attempted to eliminate this problem by distributing all "race/ethnicity unknown" students through a two-stage process. First, the differences between reported totals and racial/ethnic details were allocated on a gender and institutional basis by distributing the differences in direct proportion to reported distributions. The second-stage distribution was designed to eliminate the remaining instances of "race/ethnicity unknown." The procedure was to accumulate the reported racial/ethnic total enrollments by state, level, control, and gender, calculate the percentage distributions, and apply these percentages to the reported total enrollments of institutional respondents (in the same state, level, and control) that did not supply race/ethnicity detail. In addition, the original "race/ethnicity unknown" data were also left unaltered for those who wish to review the numbers actually distributed. The racial/ethnic status was broken down into nonresident alien, Black non-Hispanic, American Indian or Alaskan Native, Asian or Pacific Islander, Hispanic, and White non-Hispanic. There are six data files. Part 1, Institutional Characteristics, includes variables on control and level of institution, religious affiliation, highest level of offering, Carnegie classification, and state FIPS code and abbreviation. Variables in Part 2 cover total original enrollment by race/ethnicity and sex and by level and year of study of student. Race/ethnicity data were not imputed for institutions that only reported total enrollment. The "race ethnicity unknown" category was not distributed among the race/ethnicity categories. In Part 3, enrollment data are presented by race/ethnicity and sex of student, and by level and year of study for the following selected major field of studies: architecture, education, engineering, law, biological/life sciences, mathematics, physical sciences, dentistry, medicine, veterinary medicine, and business management and administrative services. This file contains data for four-year institutions only. Part 4 provides summary enrollment data by adjusted race/ethnicity and sex of student and by level and year of study of student. The "race/ethnicity unknown" category data were distributed across all known race categories in this file. Also, race data were imputed for institutions that did not report enrollment by race. Part 5, Residence and Migration, contains enrollment data for first-time freshmen, by state of residence. Part 6, Clarifying Questions on Enrollments, provides information on students enrolled in remedial courses, extension divisions, and branches of schools, and numbers of transfer students from in-state, out of state, and other countries. ICPSR data undergo a confidentiality review and are altered when necessary to limit the risk of disclosure. ICPSR also routinely creates ready-to-go data files along with setups in the major statistical software formats as well as standard codebooks to accompany the data. In addition to these procedures, ICPSR performed the following processing steps for this data collection: Checked for undocumented or out-of-range codes.. All postsecondary institutions in operation in 1996 in the United States and its outlying areas. All two-year and over postsecondary institutions were included, along with a probability-of-selection sample of all less-than-two-year private institutions. 2006-01-18 File CB2447.ALL.PDF was removed from any previous datasets and flagged as a study-level file, so that it will accompany all downloads. The codebook and data collection instruments are provided as a Portable Document Format (PDF) file. The PDF file format was developed by Adobe Systems Incorporated and can be accessed using PDF reader software, such as the Adobe Acrobat Reader (version 3.0 or later). Information on how to obtain a copy...

The purpose of this data collection was to provide a more accurate measure of the racial/ethnic enrollment in postsecondary institutions in the United States than was previously available. The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) collects racial/ethnic enrollment data from higher education institutions on an annual basis. Some institutions do not report these data, and their "unknown" categories have previously been distributed in direct proportion to the "knowns." This resulted in lower than accurate figures for the racial/ethnic categories. With the advent of the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), NCES has attempted to eliminate this problem by distributing all "race/ethnicity unknown" students through a two-stage process. First, the differences between reported totals and racial/ethnic details were allocated on a gender and institutional basis by distributing the differences in direct proportion to reported distributions. The second-stage distribution was designed to eliminate the remaining instances of "race/ethnicity unknown". The procedure was to accumulate the reported racial/ethnic total enrollments by state, level, control, and gender, calculate the percentage distributions, and apply these percentages to the reported total enrollments of institutional respondents (in the same state, level, and control) that did not supply race/ethnicity detail. In addition, the original "race/ethnicity unknown" data were also left unaltered for those who wish to review the numbers actually distributed. The racial/ethnic status was broken down into nonresident alien, Black non-Hispanic, American Indian or Alaskan Native, Asian or Pacific Islander, Hispanic, and White non-Hispanic. There are five data files. Part 1, Institutional Characteristics, includes variables on control and level of institution, religious affiliation, highest level of offering, Carnegie classification, and state FIPS code and abbreviation. Variables in Part 2, Reported Enrollment Data by Race/Ethnicity, cover total original enrollment data by race/ethnicity and sex and by level and year of study of student. Race/ethnicity data were not imputed for institutions that only reported total enrollment. Part 3, Adjusted Enrollment by Race/Ethnicity, includes summary enrollment data by adjusted race/ethnicity and sex of student and by level and year of study of student. The "race/ethnicity unknown" category data were distributed across all known race categories in this file. Also, race data were imputed for institutions that did not report enrollment by race. Part 4, Enrollment Data by Age Categories and by Level and Sex of Student, includes enrollment data by age categories and by level and sex of student. Part 5, Clarifying Questions on Enrollments, provides information on students enrolled in remedial courses, extension divisions, and branches of schools, and numbers of transfer students from in-state, out of state, and other countries.

The enrollment at public historically Black colleges and universities in the United States from 2000 to 2020 has consistently been higher than their private counterparts. In 2020, there were ****** students enrolled at private 4-year historically Black colleges and universities, while there were ******* students enrolled at public 4-year historically Black colleges and universities.

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)

Database is provided by ASL Marketing and covers the United States of America. With ASL Marketing Reaching GenZ has never been easier. Current high school student data customized by: Class year Date of Birth Gender GPA Geo Household Income Ethnicity Hobbies College-bound Interests College Intent Email