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.

As of 2022, 51.4 percent of Americans aged 20 to 21 years were enrolled in higher education institutions in the United States, a considerable increase compared to 31.9 percent enrolled in 1970. For Americans aged 18 to 19, 46.5 percent were enrolled in higher education in 2022.

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 **** 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.

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 1969 sought enrollment data from 2,814 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.

Over the past five years, for-profit universities have faced mounting headwinds amid regulatory tightening, inflation and negative public perception. While data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reports that overall postsecondary enrollment grew by just 0.5% from 2020 to 2025, enrollment at for-profit institutions shrank by 4.1%. Ballooning student debt and rising tuition, made worse by inflation in 2022 and 2023, have driven many recent graduates and adult learners to second-guess the value of higher education, especially degrees from for-profit schools with poor graduate earnings. Government regulations added further strain as the Biden administration's 2024 reinstatement of gainful employment rules once again linked access to federal funding to graduate debt-to-income ratios. At the same time, for-profit schools battled declining revenue as affordable nonprofit and vocational programs drew away budget-conscious students. Industry revenue has dropped at a CAGR of 0.5% to an estimated $13.6 billion over the five years through 2025. A faltering reputation has played a major role in the industry's decline. According to Federal Student Aid data, for-profit universities are repeatedly criticized for low graduation rates, weak graduate earnings and high student loan default rates—the highest across any demographic. Allegations of predatory practices remain in the headlines, exemplified by Walden University's $28.5 million lawsuit settlement in 2024. Although these institutions offer flexible scheduling and lower tuition rates that appeal to low-income and nontraditional students, the public remains wary. Studies indicate that most programs with no positive return on investment are at for-profit colleges. Meanwhile, stricter government scrutiny and the widespread availability of earnings and debt data have made poor outcomes highly visible, solidifying the negative perception. Many for-profit universities have shuttered, though some have managed to retain profit by closing physical locations. For-profit universities will continue facing a decline over the next five years. IBISWorld expects for-profit university enrollment to drop at an annualized 1.1% through 2030, outpaced by modest growth at nonprofit and vocational schools, where graduates see better employment outcomes. Uncertainty in regulations, including the possible repeal of the 90/10 rule, adds more volatility, while the lack of broad student loan forgiveness will likely suppress affordability and demand. As students and job seekers prioritize educational outcomes and cost, one in seven for-profit universities is expected to close by 2030. For-profit universities' revenue is set to sink at a CAGR of 0.3% to an estimated $13.4 billion through the next five years.

College Completion Dataset

Graduation Rates, Race, Efficiency Measures and More

By Jonathan Ortiz [source]

About this dataset

This College Completion dataset provides an invaluable insight into the success and progress of college students in the United States. It contains graduation rates, race and other data to offer a comprehensive view of college completion in America. The data is sourced from two primary sources – the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)’ Integrated Postsecondary Education System (IPEDS) and Voluntary System of Accountability’s Student Success and Progress rate.

At four-year institutions, the graduation figures come from IPEDS for first-time, full-time degree seeking students at the undergraduate level, who entered college six years earlier at four-year institutions or three years earlier at two-year institutions. Furthermore, colleges report how many students completed their program within 100 percent and 150 percent of normal time which corresponds with graduation within four years or six year respectively. Students reported as being of two or more races are included in totals but not shown separately

When analyzing race and ethnicity data NCES have classified student demographics since 2009 into seven categories; White non-Hispanic; Black non Hispanic; American Indian/ Alaskan native ; Asian/ Pacific Islander ; Unknown race or ethnicity ; Non resident with two new categorize Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander combined with Asian plus students belonging to several races. Also worth noting is that different classifications for graduate data stemming from 2008 could be due to variations in time frame examined & groupings used by particular colleges – those who can’t be identified from National Student Clearinghouse records won’t be subjected to penalty by these locations .

When it comes down to efficiency measures parameters like “Awards per 100 Full Time Undergraduate Students which includes all undergraduate completions reported by a particular institution including associate degrees & certificates less than 4 year programme will assist us here while we also take into consideration measures like expenditure categories , Pell grant percentage , endowment values , average student aid amounts & full time faculty members contributing outstandingly towards instructional research / public service initiatives .

When trying to quantify outcomes back up Median Estimated SAT score metric helps us when it is derived either on 25th percentile basis / 75th percentile basis with all these factors further qualified by identifying required criteria meeting 90% threshold when incoming students are considered for relevance . Last but not least , Average Student Aid equalizes amount granted by institution dividing same over total sum received against what was allotted that particular year .

All this analysis gives an opportunity get a holistic overview about performance , potential deficits &

More Datasets

For more datasets, click here.

Featured Notebooks

• 🚨 Your notebook can be here! 🚨!

How to use the dataset

This dataset contains data on student success, graduation rates, race and gender demographics, an efficiency measure to compare colleges across states and more. It is a great source of information to help you better understand college completion and student success in the United States.

In this guide we’ll explain how to use the data so that you can find out the best colleges for students with certain characteristics or focus on your target completion rate. We’ll also provide some useful tips for getting the most out of this dataset when seeking guidance on which institutions offer the highest graduation rates or have a good reputation for success in terms of completing programs within normal timeframes.

Before getting into specifics about interpreting this dataset, it is important that you understand that each row represents information about a particular institution – such as its state affiliation, level (two-year vs four-year), control (public vs private), name and website. Each column contains various demographic information such as rate of awarding degrees compared to other institutions in its sector; race/ethnicity Makeup; full-time faculty percentage; median SAT score among first-time students; awards/grants comparison versus national average/state average - all applicable depending on institution location — and more!

When using this dataset, our suggestion is that you begin by forming a hypothesis or research question concerning student completion at a given school based upon observable characteristics like financ...

Context

This dataset contains the US News rankings of the best American universities of undergraduate programs. This is how US News ranks the colleges: "We calculated 10 distinct overall rankings where colleges and universities were grouped by their academic missions. For each ranking, the sum of weighted, normalized values across 17 indicators of academic quality determine each school's overall score and, by extension, its overall rank. The top performer(s) in each ranking displays an overall score of 100. Others' overall scores are on a 0-99 scale reflecting the distance from their ranking's top-performing school(s). Those placing outside the top 75% display their ranking's bottom quartile range (e.g., No. 90-120) instead of their individual ranks (e.g., No. 102)."

Content

This dataset contains the rankings of 392 American universities based on their undergraduate programs. It also contains the tuitions and enrollment numbers of each university. 2 colleges don't have tuition data, so it is labelled -1.

Acknowledgements

We acknowledge US News for providing these rankings.

Inspiration

As a high schooler applying to undergraduate programs in America, it would be useful to know which colleges are best, and to compare tuitions and enrollment numbers.

Graph and download economic data for Unemployment Rate - Enrolled in College 16-24 Yrs. (LNU04022996) from Jan 1985 to Sep 2025 about 16 to 24 years, enrolled, tertiary schooling, education, unemployment, rate, and USA.

College Scorecard

The College Scorecard dataset is provided by the U.S. Department of Education and contains information on nearly every college and university in the United States. The dataset includes data on student loan repayment rates, graduation rates, affordability, earnings after graduation, and more. The goal of this dataset is to help students make informed decisions about their college choice by providing them with clear and concise information about each school's performance

How to use the dataset

This dataset can help understand the cost of attending college in the United States, as well as the average debt load for students. It can also be used to compare different schools in terms of their graduation rates and repayment rates

Columns

• UNITID: Unit ID for institution
• INSTNM: Institution name
• CITY: City
• STABBR: State
• ZIP: Zip code
• OPEID: OPE ID for institution
• OPEID6: OPE ID for institution (6-digit)
• ACCREDAGENCY: Accrediting Agency
• INSTURL: Institution URL
• NPCURL: Net Price Calculator URL
• SCH_DEG: Highest degree awarded
• HCM2: Carnegie Classification 2010:** Basic
• MAIN: Carnegie Classification 2010:** Main
• NUMBRANCH: Number of branch campuses
• PREDDEG: Predominant degree awarded
• HIGHDEG: Highest degree awarded
• CONTROL: Control of institution
• ST_FIPS: State FIPS code
• REGION: Region
• LOCALE: Locale code
• LOCALE2: Locale code (multiple categories per state)
• CCBASIC: Carnegie Classification 2010:** Basic
• CCMAIN: Carnegie Classification 2010:** Main
• CCUGPROF: Carnegie Classification 2010:** Undergraduate Profile
• CCSIZSET: Carnegie Classification 2010:** Size and Setting
• HBCU: Historically Black College or University
• PBI: Predominantly Black Institution
• ANNHI: Tribal College or University
• TRIBAL: Tribal College or University (Public)
• AANAPII: Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution
• HSIP: Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI)
• NANTI: Native American-Serving Nontribal Institution
• MENONLY: Men only
• WOMENONLY: Women only
• RELAFFIL: Religious affiliation
• DISTANCEONLY: Distance-only
• CURROPER: Currently operating
• VETERAN: Veteran-supportive
• LIMDEP: Limited-degree-granting
• HIGHDEG_GRANTED: Highest degree granted
• PS: Predominantly two-year public
• UGRD_ENRL_TOTAL: Undergraduate total enrollment
• GRAD_ENRL_TOTAL: Graduate total enrollment
• UGRD_ENRL_ORIG_YR2_RT: Undergraduate, first-time, first-year retention rate (%)

Acknowledgements

This data was originally collected by the US Department of Education and made available on their website. Thank you to the US Department of Education for making this data available!

Colleges and Universities This feature layer, utilizing data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), displays colleges and universities in the U.S. and its territories. NCES uses the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) as the "primary source for information on U.S. colleges, universities, and technical and vocational institutions." According to NCES, this layer "contains directory information for every institution in the 2023-24 IPEDS universe. Includes name, address, city, state, zip code and various URL links to the institution"s home page, admissions, financial aid offices and the net price calculator. Identifies institutions as currently active, and institutions that participate in Title IV federal financial aid programs for which IPEDS is mandatory." University of the District of ColumbiaData currency: 2023Data source: IPEDS Complete Data FilesData modification: Removed fields with coded values and replaced with descriptionsFor more information: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemSupport documentation: Data DictionaryFor feedback, please contact: ArcGIScomNationalMaps@esri.com U.S. Department of Education (ED) Per ED, The mission of the Department of Education (ED) is to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access for students of all ages.

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 $591.1 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.

This dataset contains the most recent cohorts' data from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, providing detailed insights into U.S. higher education institutions and their graduates. It includes two primary files: one focusing on data by field of study and the other on institution-level data. This dataset is ideal for researchers, educators, and policymakers interested in recent trends and outcomes in higher education.

Files Included: 1. Most-Recent-Cohorts-Field-of-Study.csv (149.67 MB) - Contains data on recent graduates by field of study. - Includes information on cumulative debt at graduation and earnings one year after graduation.

1. Most-Recent-Cohorts-Institution.csv (104.14 MB)
   • Contains institution-level data on recent cohorts.
   • Includes information on institutional characteristics, enrollment, student aid, costs, and student outcomes.

Key Features: - Detailed breakdown by field of study and institution. - Recent data on student debt and earnings. - Insights into institutional performance and student outcomes.

Usage: - Analyze recent trends in higher education. - Compare outcomes across different fields of study. - Research institutional performance and characteristics.

Data Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, last updated June 13, 2024.

Licensing: This dataset is provided under the Public Domain Dedication and License (PDDL).

Citation: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard Recent Cohorts Data.

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.

Graph and download economic data for Ratio of Female to Male Tertiary School Enrollment for the United States (SEENRTERTFMZSUSA) from 1971 to 2022 about enrolled, ratio, tertiary schooling, females, males, education, and USA.

Snapshot img

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.
Request Free Sample

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 degrees

In 2025, Texas A&M University-College Station was ranked as the best distance learning institution in the United States, with 40 percent of its students enrolled online. Florida International University, University of Florida, Arizona State University Digital Immersion, and University of Arizona rounded out the top five.

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)

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.