How Many Colleges And Universities Are In the U.S.?

Key findings:

The United States has a large and complex higher education system. From large public universities to small private colleges, the country offers a wide range of options for students seeking undergraduate and graduate education. Understanding how many colleges and universities are in the U.S. can help prospective students, educators, and policymakers gain insight into the scale, distribution, and accessibility of higher education across the nation.

In this article, we explore the total number of U.S. colleges and universities, their types, regional distribution, and trends over time. Whether you are curious about the number of public versus private institutions or how nonprofit and for-profit colleges contribute to the higher education landscape, this guide provides a comprehensive look at the U.S. education system.

Overview of higher education institutions in the U.S.

Number of U.S. colleges and universities by year

Understanding how many colleges are in the U.S. and how the landscape of colleges and universities in the U.S. has evolved is essential for analyzing long-term shifts in American higher education. The data below tracks the total count of colleges and universities annually, offering a clear year-by-year view of institutional expansion and consolidation.

These trends also help answer widely searched questions, such as how many universities are in the U.S. and the number of colleges in the U.S. by year.

How many colleges and universities are in the U.S.?

• The total number of U.S. institutions peaked at 4,726 in 2012-13, before gradually declining to 3,896 by 2022-23.

How many 4-year colleges are in the U.S.?

• Four-year institutions rose steadily from 1,866 in 1974-75 to a high of 3,039 in 2013-14, followed by a slight decrease to 2,628 in 2022-23.

How many 2-year colleges are in the U.S.?

• Two-year institutions experienced a long-term contraction, falling from 1,742 in 1996-97 to just 1,268 in 2022-23.

Historical trends in the number of colleges and universities in the U.S.

Academic year	Total institutions	4-year institutions	2-year institutions
1974-75	3,004	1,866	1,138
1975-76	3,026	1,898	1,128
1976-77	3,046	1,913	1,133
1977-78	3,095	1,938	1,157
1978-79	3,134	1,941	1,193
1979-80	3,152	1,957	1,195
1980-81	3,231	1,957	1,274
1981-82	3,253	1,979	1,274
1982-83	3,280	1,984	1,296
1983-84	3,284	2,013	1,271
1984-85	3,331	2,025	1,306
1985-86	3,340	2,029	1,311
1986-87	3,406	2,070	1,336
1987-88	3,587	2,135	1,452
1988-89	3,565	2,129	1,436
1989-90	3,535	2,127	1,408
1990-91	3,559	2,141	1,418
1991-92	3,601	2,157	1,444
1992-93	3,638	2,169	1,469
1993-94	3,632	2,190	1,442
1994-95	3,688	2,215	1,473
1995-96	3,706	2,244	1,462
1996-97	4,009	2,267	1,742
1997-98	4,064	2,309	1,755
1998-99	4,048	2,335	1,713
1999-2000	4,084	2,363	1,721
2000-01	4,182	2,450	1,732
2001-02	4,197	2,487	1,710
2002-03	4,168	2,466	1,702
2003-04	4,236	2,530	1,706
2004-05	4,216	2,533	1,683
2005-06	4,276	2,582	1,694
2006-07	4,314	2,629	1,685
2007-08	4,352	2,675	1,677
2008-09	4,409	2,719	1,690
2009-10	4,495	2,774	1,721
2010-11	4,599	2,870	1,729
2011-12	4,706	2,968	1,738
2012-13	4,726	3,026	1,700
2013-14	4,724	3,039	1,685
2014-15	4,627	3,011	1,616
2015-16	4,583	3,004	1,579
2016-17	4,360	2,832	1,528
2017-18	4,313	2,828	1,485
2018-19	4,042	2,703	1,339
2019-20	3,982	2,679	1,303
2020-21	3,931	2,637	1,294
2021-22	3,899	2,619	1,280
2022-23	3,896	2,628	1,268

Overall, the number of U.S. higher education institutions has gone through a notable rise followed by a decade of contraction. Growth from the mid-1970s through the early 2010s was driven largely by the expansion of four-year colleges, while the recent decline reflects the consolidation of both public and private institutions, especially among two-year colleges. 

After examining the overall higher education landscape, this section focuses specifically on how the number of public institutions has evolved.

College and university numbers by state and type

Annual trends in the total number of public colleges and universities

Understanding how many public universities in the U.S. exist and how their totals have shifted across decades is essential for analyzing long-term educational capacity. These year-by-year data also help contextualize broader questions, such as how many 4-year colleges are in the U.S., and the number of colleges by type. By tracking both 4-year and 2-year public institutions, the chart illustrates structural changes within the public sector of American higher education.

How many public universities are in the U.S.?

• The total number of public institutions rose from 1,433 in 1974-75 to a peak of 1,702 in 1996-97, before settling at 1,599 in 2022-23 after fluctuating in the intervening years..
• Public 4-year institutions increased steadily from 537 in 1974-75 to 782 in 2022-23, marking one of the most consistent growth patterns in the dataset.
• Public 2-year institutions grew from 896 in 1974-75 to a high of 1,092 in 1997-98, then declined to 817 by 2022-23.

Year-by-year changes in U.S. public colleges and universities

Academic year	Total institutions	4-year institutions	2-year institutions
1974-75	1,433	537	896
1975-76	1,442	545	897
1976-77	1,455	550	905
1977-78	1,473	552	921
1978-79	1,474	550	924
1979-80	1,475	549	926
1980-81	1,497	552	945
1981-82	1,498	558	940
1982-83	1,493	560	933
1983-84	1,481	565	916
1984-85	1,501	566	935
1985-86	1,498	566	932
1986-87	1,533	573	960
1987-88	1,591	599	992
1988-89	1,582	598	984
1989-90	1,563	595	968
1990-91	1,567	595	972
1991-92	1,598	599	999
1992-93	1,624	600	1,024
1993-94	1,625	604	1,021
1994-95	1,641	605	1,036
1995-96	1,655	608	1,047
1996-97	1,702	614	1,088
1997-98	1,707	615	1,092
1998-99	1,681	612	1,069
1999-2000	1,682	614	1,068
2000-01	1,698	622	1,076
2001-02	1,713	628	1,085
2002-03	1,712	631	1,081
2003-04	1,720	634	1,086
2004-05	1,700	639	1,061
2005-06	1,693	640	1,053
2006-07	1,688	643	1,045
2007-08	1,685	653	1,032
2008-09	1,676	652	1,024
2009-10	1,672	672	1,000
2010-11	1,656	678	978
2011-12	1,649	682	967
2012-13	1,623	689	934
2013-14	1,625	691	934
2014-15	1,621	701	920
2015-16	1,620	710	910
2016-17	1,623	737	886
2017-18	1,626	750	876
2018-19	1,636	768	868
2019-20	1,625	772	853
2020-21	1,587	752	835
2021-22	1,582	756	826
2022-23	1,599	782	817

The long-term trend shows that public higher education expanded throughout the late 20th century, driven initially by growth in 2-year colleges and later by steady increases in 4-year institutions. Over the past two decades, however, the number of public 2-year colleges has contracted, while 4-year colleges have continued to rise, reshaping the balance of public education offerings. These dynamics reflect demographic changes, funding shifts, and evolving student demand across states.

After reviewing public institutions, this section examines how the private sector has expanded and changed across academic years.

Annual trends in the total number of private colleges and universities

This dataset helps clarify how many private colleges in the U.S. exist and how the number of institutions has evolved over nearly five decades.

By separating 4-year and 2-year private institutions, the chart highlights long-term structural patterns relevant to understanding how many 4-year colleges are in the U.S., state-level capacity, and whether every state has a college.

How many private colleges are in the U.S.?

• The total number of private institutions increased from 1,571 in 1974-75 to a peak of 3,103 in 2012-13, before declining to 2,297 by 2022-23.
• Private 4-year colleges grew from 1,329 in 1974-75 to 2,348 in 2013-14, then gradually decreased to 1,846 in 2022-23.
• Private 2-year institutions rose from 242 in 1974-75 to a high of 771 in 2011-12, followed by a sharp contraction to 451 in 2022-23.

Growth and shifts in U.S. private higher education institutions

Academic year	Total institutions	4-year institutions	2-year institutions
1974-75	1,571	1,329	242
1975-76	1,584	1,353	231
1976-77	1,591	1,363	228
1977-78	1,622	1,386	236
1978-79	1,660	1,391	269
1979-80	1,677	1,408	269
1980-81	1,734	1,405	329
1981-82	1,755	1,421	334
1982-83	1,787	1,424	363
1983-84	1,803	1,448	355
1984-85	1,830	1,459	371
1985-86	1,842	1,463	379
1986-87	1,873	1,497	376
1987-88	1,996	1,536	460
1988-89	1,983	1,531	452
1989-90	1,972	1,532	440
1990-91	1,992	1,546	446
1991-92	2,003	1,558	445
1992-93	2,014	1,569	445
1993-94	2,007	1,586	421
1994-95	2,047	1,610	437
1995-96	2,051	1,636	415
1996-97	2,307	1,653	654
1997-98	2,357	1,694	663
1998-99	2,367	1,723	644
1999-2000	2,402	1,749	653
2000-01	2,484	1,828	656
2001-02	2,484	1,859	625
2002-03	2,456	1,835	621
2003-04	2,516	1,896	620
2004-05	2,516	1,894	622
2005-06	2,583	1,942	641
2006-07	2,626	1,986	640
2007-08	2,667	2,022	645
2008-09	2,733	2,067	666
2009-10	2,823	2,102	721
2010-11	2,943	2,192	751
2011-12	3,057	2,286	771
2012-13	3,103	2,337	766
2013-14	3,099	2,348	751
2014-15	3,006	2,310	696
2015-16	2,963	2,294	669
2016-17	2,737	2,095	642
2017-18	2,687	2,078	609
2018-19	2,406	1,935	471
2019-20	2,357	1,907	450
2020-21	2,344	1,885	459
2021-22	2,317	1,863	454
2022-23	2,297	1,846	451

Overall, private higher education experienced robust expansion through the late 20th century and early 2000s, driven by growth in both 4-year and 2-year institutions. However, after 2012-13, the sector underwent significant consolidation, with declines in both categories, especially 2-year colleges. These shifts shape state-level distributions, influencing which state has the most colleges, how many colleges are in each state, and the balance of private vs. public options nationwide.

Following the trends in private colleges overall, the next step is to examine how nonprofit institutions have changed over time.

Long-term trends in nonprofit colleges and universities

By differentiating 4-year and 2-year nonprofit institutions, the chart highlights long-term structural adjustments that shape the higher education landscape.

• The total number of nonprofit institutions increased from 1,635 in 1986-87 to a peak of 1,701 in 2015-16, before falling to 1,614 by 2022-23.
• Nonprofit 4-year colleges grew from 1,462 in 1986-87 to 1,594 in 2015-16, with a slight decline to 1,536 in 2022-23.
• Nonprofit 2-year institutions dropped sharply from 173 in 1986-87 to 78 in 2022-23, marking the most significant contraction within the sector.

Dynamics of U.S. nonprofit higher education institutions

Academic year	Total institutions	4-year institutions	2-year institutions
1986-87	1,635	1,462	173
1987-88	1,673	1,487	186
1988-89	1,658	1,478	180
1989-90	1,656	1,479	177
1990-91	1,649	1,482	167
1991-92	1,662	1,486	176
1992-93	1,672	1,493	179
1993-94	1,687	1,506	181
1994-95	1,702	1,510	192
1995-96	1,706	1,519	187
1996-97	1,693	1,509	184
1997-98	1,707	1,528	179
1998-99	1,695	1,531	164
1999-2000	1,681	1,531	150
2000-01	1,695	1,551	144
2001-02	1,676	1,541	135
2002-03	1,665	1,538	127
2003-04	1,664	1,546	118
2004-05	1,637	1,525	112
2005-06	1,647	1,534	113
2006-07	1,640	1,533	107
2007-08	1,624	1,532	92
2008-09	1,629	1,537	92
2009-10	1,624	1,539	85
2010-11	1,630	1,543	87
2011-12	1,653	1,553	100
2012-13	1,652	1,555	97
2013-14	1,675	1,587	88
2014-15	1,672	1,584	88
2015-16	1,701	1,594	107
2016-17	1,682	1,581	101
2017-18	1,689	1,590	99
2018-19	1,664	1,577	87
2019-20	1,660	1,568	92
2020-21	1,640	1,555	85
2021-22	1,626	1,541	85
2022-23	1,614	1,536	78

Overall, nonprofit higher education remained relatively stable over the past three decades, with modest growth in 4-year institutions offset by a significant decline in 2-year colleges. These long-term trends show gradual consolidation, with the most notable changes occurring among 2-year institutions.

After reviewing nonprofit institutions, the next step is to look at how for-profit colleges and universities have shifted over time.

Growth and decline of for-profit colleges and universities

The for-profit sector shows the most pronounced structural changes in U.S. higher education. Because for-profit schools expanded rapidly and then contracted just as quickly, this dataset helps explain fluctuations in the mix of institutions available to students and long-term changes in the U.S. higher education landscape.

• The total number of for-profit institutions surged from 238 in 1986-87 to a peak of 1,451 in 2012-13, before dropping sharply to 683 by 2022-23.
• For-profit 4-year colleges grew from just 35 in 1986-87 to 782 at their peak in 2012-13, then fell to 310 in 2022-23.
• For-profit 2-year institutions rose from 203 in 1986-87 to 674 in 2011-12, but declined to 373 by 2022-23, marking a long-term contraction after years of rapid expansion.

Dynamics of U.S. for-profit higher education institutions

Academic year	Total institutions	4-year institutions	2-year institutions
1986-87	238	35	203
1987-88	323	49	274
1988-89	325	53	272
1989-90	316	53	263
1990-91	343	64	279
1991-92	341	72	269
1992-93	342	76	266
1993-94	320	80	240
1994-95	345	100	245
1995-96	345	117	228
1996-97	614	144	470
1997-98	650	166	484
1998-99	672	192	480
1999-2000	721	218	503
2000-01	789	277	512
2001-02	808	318	490
2002-03	791	297	494
2003-04	852	350	502
2004-05	879	369	510
2005-06	936	408	528
2006-07	986	453	533
2007-08	1,043	490	553
2008-09	1,104	530	574
2009-10	1,199	563	636
2010-11	1,313	649	664
2011-12	1,404	733	671
2012-13	1,451	782	669
2013-14	1,424	761	663
2014-15	1,334	726	608
2015-16	1,262	700	562
2016-17	1,055	514	541
2017-18	998	488	510
2018-19	742	358	384
2019-20	697	339	358
2020-21	704	330	374
2021-22	691	322	369
2022-23	683	310	373

The for-profit higher education sector experienced rapid growth from the late 1980s through the early 2010s, largely driven by the expansion of vocational programs and online learning providers. However, regulatory changes, accreditation pressures, and rising scrutiny led to a significant decline afterward.

After examining long-term institutional trends, it’s also important to understand how these patterns translate into the current landscape of colleges and universities across individual states.

Total number of colleges and universities by state

The 2022-23 dataset provides a clear snapshot of how many colleges are in each state, helping answer key questions such as which state has the most colleges and the overall number of universities by state.

What state has the most colleges and universities?

• California leads the nation with 403 colleges and universities. The total (403) includes public, private nonprofit, and private for-profit institutions combined.
• New York ranks second with 286 institutions, while Texas follows with 224, showing strong concentration in the largest states.
• The states with the fewest institutions include Delaware (7), Alaska (8), and Wyoming (9).

State distribution of U.S. colleges and universities in 2022-23

State	Number of institutions
Alabama	59
Alaska	8
Arizona	63
Arkansas	52
California	403
Colorado	59
Connecticut	37
Delaware	7
District of Columbia	18
Florida	158
Georgia	105
Hawaii	17
Idaho	13
Illinois	148
Indiana	64
Iowa	55
Kansas	61
Kentucky	57
Louisiana	50
Maine	29
Maryland	50
Massachusetts	104
Michigan	86
Minnesota	78
Mississippi	33
Missouri	88
Montana	23
Nebraska	33
Nevada	21
New Hampshire	24
New Jersey	80
New Mexico	36
New York	286
North Carolina	133
North Dakota	20
Ohio	156
Oklahoma	46
Oregon	47
Pennsylvania	178
Rhode Island	14
South Carolina	65
South Dakota	21
Tennessee	82
Texas	224
Utah	22
Vermont	16
Virginia	100
Washington	72
West Virginia	41
Wisconsin	66
Wyoming	9

State-level differences in higher education density are substantial, with the largest states hosting several hundred institutions while smaller states may have fewer than ten. These disparities affect national counts and help explain broader metrics such as the number of colleges by state and the current distribution of U.S. higher education capacity.

After reviewing the overall number of institutions by state, the next step is to look specifically at public colleges and universities, which form the core of each state’s publicly funded higher education system.

Total number of public colleges and universities by state

Public institutions include both public 4-year universities and public 2-year community or technical colleges. The 2022-23 dataset shows how these publicly funded campuses are distributed across the country. This breakdown highlights the central role public systems play in providing accessible and affordable higher education.

• California has the largest public system with 151 public institutions, followed by Texas with 102, making them the two biggest providers of public higher education in the nation.
• Several mid-sized states also have large public networks: New York (79), North Carolina (75), and Illinois (60).
• States with minimal public infrastructure include the District of Columbia (1), Rhode Island and Delaware (3), Alaska (4), Vermont (5), and Nevada (7), reflecting very small-scale public systems.

State distribution of public higher education institutions in 2022-23

State	Number of institutions
Alabama	37
Alaska	4
Arizona	25
Arkansas	34
California	151
Colorado	28
Connecticut	18
Delaware	3
District of Columbia	1
Florida	41
Georgia	50
Hawaii	10
Idaho	8
Illinois	60
Indiana	16
Iowa	19
Kansas	33
Kentucky	24
Louisiana	31
Maine	14
Maryland	29
Massachusetts	30
Michigan	46
Minnesota	40
Mississippi	23
Missouri	27
Montana	18
Nebraska	16
Nevada	7
New Hampshire	13
New Jersey	32
New Mexico	28
New York	79
North Carolina	75
North Dakota	14
Ohio	59
Oklahoma	30
Oregon	25
Pennsylvania	35
Rhode Island	3
South Carolina	33
South Dakota	13
Tennessee	24
Texas	102
Utah	8
Vermont	5
Virginia	40
Washington	42
West Virginia	22
Wisconsin	32
Wyoming	8

The distribution of public colleges and universities varies widely across states, largely reflecting population size, state funding models, and the historical development of public education systems.

States with larger or more decentralized public systems, such as California and Texas, operate extensive networks of community colleges and universities, while smaller or less populated states maintain far fewer campuses.

Understanding these differences helps contextualize the broader national picture of public vs. private institutions and the accessibility of publicly funded higher education across the U.S.

After outlining the total number of public institutions in each state, it’s useful to focus specifically on public 4-year colleges and universities, which serve as the primary providers of bachelor’s and graduate-level education.

Number of public 4-year colleges and universities by state 

Public 4-year institutions represent the backbone of state-funded higher education, offering broad academic programs, research opportunities, and advanced degrees. The 2022-23 data highlights how these institutions are distributed across states.

• California and Texas lead the nation with 50 public 4-year institutions each, far outpacing all other states.
• New York (43), Florida (40), and Washington (36) also maintain large public university systems, reflecting significant statewide investment in higher education.
• States with the smallest number of public 4-year institutions include the District of Columbia (1) and Wyoming (1), while several states operate only 3–4 such institutions, such as Iowa and Delaware (3), Hawaii and Vermont (4).

State distribution of public 4-year institutions in 2022-23

State	Number of institutions
Alabama	14
Alaska	4
Arizona	5
Arkansas	12
California	50
Colorado	18
Connecticut	6
Delaware	3
District of Columbia	1
Florida	40
Georgia	27
Hawaii	4
Idaho	4
Illinois	12
Indiana	15
Iowa	3
Kansas	8
Kentucky	8
Louisiana	17
Maine	7
Maryland	13
Massachusetts	14
Michigan	22
Minnesota	13
Mississippi	8
Missouri	13
Montana	9
Nebraska	7
Nevada	7
New Hampshire	6
New Jersey	13
New Mexico	9
New York	43
North Carolina	17
North Dakota	9
Ohio	30
Oklahoma	17
Oregon	8
Pennsylvania	17
Rhode Island	2
South Carolina	13
South Dakota	9
Tennessee	11
Texas	50
Utah	7
Vermont	4
Virginia	16
Washington	36
West Virginia	13
Wisconsin	16
Wyoming	1

Large, highly populated states operate extensive public university networks, while smaller or less populated regions maintain far fewer campuses.

This variation underscores the importance of state-level policies and investments in shaping access to public higher education at the bachelor’s and graduate levels.

Following the overview of public 4-year institutions, it is important to examine public 2-year colleges, which provide accessible, affordable, and flexible options for students seeking associate degrees or transfer pathways.

Number of public 2-year colleges by state

Public 2-year institutions, including community and technical colleges, play a critical role in U.S. higher education by offering local access, workforce training, and opportunities to transfer to 4-year universities.

• California leads the nation with 101 public 2-year institutions, making it the state with the most community colleges.
• Texas (52) and North Carolina (58) also maintain extensive public 2-year networks, reflecting strong regional support for affordable postsecondary education.
• Several states, including Alaska, Delaware, the District of Columbia, and Nevada, have 0 public 2-year institutions, highlighting significant gaps in local access to community college education.

State distribution of public two-year institutions in 2022-23

State	Number of institutions
Alabama	23
Alaska	0
Arizona	20
Arkansas	22
California	101
Colorado	10
Connecticut	12
Delaware	0
District of Columbia	0
Florida	1
Georgia	23
Hawaii	6
Idaho	4
Illinois	48
Indiana	1
Iowa	16
Kansas	25
Kentucky	16
Louisiana	14
Maine	7
Maryland	16
Massachusetts	16
Michigan	24
Minnesota	27
Mississippi	15
Missouri	14
Montana	9
Nebraska	9
Nevada	0
New Hampshire	7
New Jersey	19
New Mexico	19
New York	36
North Carolina	58
North Dakota	5
Ohio	29
Oklahoma	13
Oregon	17
Pennsylvania	18
Rhode Island	1
South Carolina	20
South Dakota	4
Tennessee	13
Texas	52
Utah	1
Vermont	1
Virginia	24
Washington	6
West Virginia	9
Wisconsin	16
Wyoming	7

Public 2-year colleges are unevenly distributed across the United States, with some states operating extensive networks while others have none. This uneven distribution underscores the importance of state-level policies, population density, and funding in shaping access to affordable postsecondary education. Overall, public 2-year institutions provide critical opportunities for workforce development and educational mobility, complementing the nation’s network of public 4-year universities.

After analyzing public institutions, it’s important to explore private nonprofit colleges and universities, which provide a substantial portion of higher education opportunities across the U.S.

Number of private nonprofit colleges and universities by state

Private nonprofit institutions include liberal arts colleges, research universities, and specialized schools funded through tuition, endowments, and donations rather than state funding.

• New York has the highest number of private nonprofit institutions with 185 schools, followed by California (137) and Pennsylvania (110).
• Texas and Ohio both host significant networks of private nonprofit colleges, with 69 institutions each.
• Several states, including Wyoming (0), Nevada, Delaware, Alaska, and New Mexico (3), have very few private nonprofit colleges, highlighting regional disparities in access.

State distribution of private nonprofit institutions in 2022-23

State	Number of institutions
Alabama	18
Alaska	3
Arizona	10
Arkansas	17
California	137
Colorado	9
Connecticut	17
Delaware	3
District of Columbia	12
Florida	57
Georgia	36
Hawaii	4
Idaho	4
Illinois	74
Indiana	41
Iowa	33
Kansas	24
Kentucky	25
Louisiana	13
Maine	14
Maryland	18
Massachusetts	72
Michigan	38
Minnesota	33
Mississippi	9
Missouri	50
Montana	4
Nebraska	15
Nevada	3
New Hampshire	11
New Jersey	39
New Mexico	3
New York	185
North Carolina	49
North Dakota	5
Ohio	69
Oklahoma	14
Oregon	19
Pennsylvania	110
Rhode Island	11
South Carolina	24
South Dakota	6
Tennessee	42
Texas	69
Utah	5
Vermont	11
Virginia	40
Washington	23
West Virginia	9
Wisconsin	31
Wyoming	0

Private nonprofit colleges and universities are concentrated in large, highly populated states, providing extensive academic options and specialized programs. In contrast, smaller or less populous states often have very few private nonprofit institutions, reflecting limitations in local access. Overall, these institutions complement public colleges by offering diverse pathways for higher education, including specialized programs and liberal arts education, across the United States.

Following the overview of all private nonprofit institutions, we now focus specifically on 4-year private nonprofit colleges and universities, which grant bachelor’s degrees and often serve as research and liberal arts hubs.

Private nonprofit 4-year colleges and universities by state

Private nonprofit 4-year institutions are central to the U.S. higher education landscape, offering undergraduate programs, graduate degrees, and specialized fields of study.

• New York leads the nation with 167 private nonprofit 4-year institutions, followed by California (133) and Pennsylvania (101).
• Texas (64) and Ohio (65) maintain substantial networks of four-year nonprofit colleges.
• Several states, including Wyoming (0), Delaware, Alaska (2), Nevada, and New Mexico (3), have very limited access to private nonprofit 4-year institutions.

State distribution of private nonprofit 4-year institutions in 2022-23

State	Number of institutions
Alabama	17
Alaska	2
Arizona	9
Arkansas	14
California	133
Colorado	9
Connecticut	17
Delaware	2
District of Columbia	12
Florida	53
Georgia	33
Hawaii	4
Idaho	4
Illinois	72
Indiana	41
Iowa	33
Kansas	24
Kentucky	25
Louisiana	11
Maine	13
Maryland	18
Massachusetts	70
Michigan	38
Minnesota	32
Mississippi	9
Missouri	49
Montana	4
Nebraska	14
Nevada	3
New Hampshire	10
New Jersey	36
New Mexico	3
New York	167
North Carolina	48
North Dakota	5
Ohio	65
Oklahoma	13
Oregon	18
Pennsylvania	101
Rhode Island	11
South Carolina	23
South Dakota	6
Tennessee	39
Texas	64
Utah	4
Vermont	11
Virginia	38
Washington	21
West Virginia	9
Wisconsin	31
Wyoming	0

Private nonprofit 4-year colleges are highly concentrated in large and densely populated states, providing diverse academic programs and opportunities for undergraduate and graduate education. Smaller states or those with lower populations often have few such institutions, highlighting disparities in local access to four-year nonprofit education.

Overall, these colleges play a critical role in the U.S. higher education system by complementing public universities and supporting specialized academic and research programs.

After analyzing four-year private nonprofit colleges, it is also important to examine 2-year private nonprofit institutions, which primarily offer associate degrees and vocational programs.

Private nonprofit 2-year colleges and universities by state

Private nonprofit 2-year institutions represent a small but significant portion of U.S. higher education.

• New York dominates the 2-year nonprofit sector with 18 institutions, far exceeding all other states.
• Texas (5) and Pennsylvania (9) follow as the next most represented states for 2-year private nonprofit colleges.
• Many states, including Wyoming, Rhode Island, Nevada, and Montana, have 0 private nonprofit 2-year institutions, showing limited availability.

State distribution of private nonprofit 2-year institutions in 2022-23

State	Number of institutions
Alabama	1
Alaska	1
Arizona	1
Arkansas	3
California	4
Colorado	0
Connecticut	0
Delaware	1
District of Columbia	0
Florida	4
Georgia	3
Hawaii	0
Idaho	0
Illinois	2
Indiana	0
Iowa	0
Kansas	0
Kentucky	0
Louisiana	2
Maine	1
Maryland	0
Massachusetts	2
Michigan	0
Minnesota	1
Mississippi	0
Missouri	1
Montana	0
Nebraska	1
Nevada	0
New Hampshire	1
New Jersey	3
New Mexico	0
New York	18
North Carolina	1
North Dakota	0
Ohio	4
Oklahoma	1
Oregon	1
Pennsylvania	9
Rhode Island	0
South Carolina	1
South Dakota	0
Tennessee	3
Texas	5
Utah	1
Vermont	0
Virginia	2
Washington	2
West Virginia	0
Wisconsin	0
Wyoming	0

Private nonprofit 2-year colleges are far less common than their four-year counterparts and are concentrated in a few key states. Most states either have very few or no such institutions, indicating limited options for students seeking short-term, nonprofit-focused programs.

Overall, these colleges complement the larger higher education ecosystem by offering vocational training and associate degrees in regions where four-year institutions may be less accessible.

Having examined private nonprofit institutions, we now turn to private for-profit colleges and universities, which operate as businesses and often focus on career-oriented programs.

Private for-profit colleges and universities by state

Private for-profit institutions play a distinct role in U.S. higher education, catering primarily to students seeking flexible schedules and vocational programs.

• California leads the country with 115 private for-profit institutions, making it the largest hub for these colleges.
• Florida (60) and Texas (53) follow closely, showing strong regional clusters in the Sunbelt.
• Several states, including New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont, have 0 private for-profit colleges, indicating minimal presence.

State-level distribution of private for-profit institutions in 2022-23

State	Number of institutions
Alabama	4
Alaska	1
Arizona	28
Arkansas	1
California	115
Colorado	22
Connecticut	2
Delaware	1
District of Columbia	5
Florida	60
Georgia	19
Hawaii	3
Idaho	1
Illinois	14
Indiana	7
Iowa	3
Kansas	4
Kentucky	8
Louisiana	6
Maine	1
Maryland	3
Massachusetts	2
Michigan	2
Minnesota	5
Mississippi	1
Missouri	11
Montana	1
Nebraska	2
Nevada	11
New Hampshire	0
New Jersey	9
New Mexico	5
New York	22
North Carolina	9
North Dakota	1
Ohio	28
Oklahoma	2
Oregon	3
Pennsylvania	33
Rhode Island	0
South Carolina	8
South Dakota	2
Tennessee	16
Texas	53
Utah	9
Vermont	0
Virginia	20
Washington	7
West Virginia	10
Wisconsin	3
Wyoming	1

Private for-profit colleges are concentrated in a few states, with California, Florida, and Texas hosting the majority. Many smaller states have either very few or no institutions, highlighting uneven access for students pursuing career-oriented programs in certain regions.

Overall, these colleges complement public and nonprofit institutions by offering specialized, flexible educational options, often focused on immediate workforce entry.

Focusing now on 4-year private for-profit institutions, we can see which states offer these degree-granting programs at a bachelor’s level.

Private for-profit 4-year colleges by state

While many private for-profit colleges operate as 2-year institutions, a notable portion provide full 4-year degrees.

• California hosts the most 4-year private for-profit colleges, with 67 institutions.
• Texas (21) and Florida (29) also have significant numbers, forming the largest regional clusters.
• Several states, including Alaska, Montana, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wyoming, have 0 institutions, indicating no 4-year private for-profit presence.

Distribution of 4-year private for-profit institutions across U.S. states

State	Number of institutions
Alabama	3
Alaska	0
Arizona	15
Arkansas	1
California	67
Colorado	9
Connecticut	2
Delaware	1
District of Columbia	3
Florida	29
Georgia	8
Hawaii	2
Idaho	0
Illinois	8
Indiana	2
Iowa	2
Kansas	1
Kentucky	4
Louisiana	0
Maine	1
Maryland	1
Massachusetts	1
Michigan	1
Minnesota	5
Mississippi	1
Missouri	7
Montana	0
Nebraska	0
Nevada	5
New Hampshire	0
New Jersey	6
New Mexico	3
New York	11
North Carolina	6
North Dakota	1
Ohio	8
Oklahoma	1
Oregon	2
Pennsylvania	4
Rhode Island	0
South Carolina	3
South Dakota	2
Tennessee	9
Texas	21
Utah	8
Vermont	0
Virginia	10
Washington	4
West Virginia	4
Wisconsin	2
Wyoming	0

4-year private for-profit colleges are concentrated in a handful of states, with the majority located in California, Florida, and Texas. Many states have very few or none, reflecting uneven access to degree-level for-profit education. These institutions complement the broader higher education ecosystem by offering alternatives for students seeking career-focused 4-year programs outside public or nonprofit systems.

Shifting focus from 4-year programs, the following data illustrates the landscape of private for-profit 2-year institutions across the U.S.

Private for-profit 2-year colleges by state

Private for-profit 2-year colleges primarily offer associate degrees and vocational training.

• California leads in private for-profit 2-year institutions with 48 colleges, followed closely by Texas (32) and Florida (31).
• Pennsylvania hosts 29 institutions, making it another notable state for 2-year private for-profit options.
• Several states, including Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Minnesota, North Dakota, Rhode Island, and Vermont, have 0 institutions, showing no presence of 2-year private for-profit colleges.

Distribution of 2-year private for-profit institutions across U.S. states

State	Number of institutions
Alabama	1
Alaska	1
Arizona	13
Arkansas	0
California	48
Colorado	13
Connecticut	0
Delaware	0
District of Columbia	2
Florida	31
Georgia	11
Hawaii	1
Idaho	1
Illinois	6
Indiana	5
Iowa	1
Kansas	3
Kentucky	4
Louisiana	6
Maine	0
Maryland	2
Massachusetts	1
Michigan	1
Minnesota	0
Mississippi	0
Missouri	4
Montana	1
Nebraska	2
Nevada	6
New Hampshire	0
New Jersey	3
New Mexico	2
New York	11
North Carolina	3
North Dakota	0
Ohio	20
Oklahoma	1
Oregon	1
Pennsylvania	29
Rhode Island	0
South Carolina	5
South Dakota	0
Tennessee	7
Texas	32
Utah	1
Vermont	0
Virginia	10
Washington	3
West Virginia	6
Wisconsin	1
Wyoming	1

Private for-profit 2-year institutions are heavily concentrated in a few large states, primarily California, Texas, and Florida, while many states lack any presence. These colleges provide an alternative pathway for career-focused education, particularly in regions with higher population density and demand for vocational training. The uneven distribution highlights both opportunities and gaps in access to short-term, career-oriented higher education across the United States.

After exploring higher education, it is important to examine the foundation of the U.S. education system: K-12 schools, which serve millions of students nationwide.

An overview of K-12 schools across the U.S.

K-12 schools in the U.S.: total numbers and breakdown

The K-12 school system in the U.S. includes prekindergarten, elementary, middle, and secondary or high schools. From 2012-13 to 2022-23, the total number of institutions remained fairly stable, hovering around 98,000-99,000 schools.

• Elementary schools remained the largest segment with 52,474 institutions in 2022-23, showing minimal change over the decade.

How many schools are in the U.S.?

• Secondary and high schools totaled 23,810 in 2022-23, slightly increasing from 23,348 in 2012-13.
• Other types of schools, such as vocational or special education, numbered 5,236 in 2022-23, reflecting a small but consistent portion of total institutions.

Overview of K-12 education institutions across the United States

Academic year	Institutions
	Prekindergarten	Elementary	Middle	Secondary and high	Other	Total
2012-13	1,118	52,332	16,557	23,348	5,099	98,454
2013-14	1,197	52,300	16,553	23,311	4,910	98,271
2014-15	1,234	52,379	16,500	23,441	4,622	98,176
2015-16	1,276	52,243	16,412	23,472	4,874	98,277
2016-17	1,287	52,084	16,241	23,379	5,167	98,158
2017-18	1,418	52,353	16,341	23,318	5,039	98,469
2018-19	1,545	52,394	16,322	23,567	4,927	98,755
2019-20	1,453	52,322	16,264	23,529	4,901	98,469
2020-21	1,507	52,313	16,235	23,519	5,003	98,577
2021-22	1,535	52,450	16,300	23,742	5,212	99,239
2022-23	1,570	52,474	16,298	23,810	5,236	99,388

The K-12 school system in the U.S. demonstrates remarkable stability, with nearly 99,400 institutions in 2022-23. While prekindergarten and elementary schools make up the majority of institutions, secondary and high schools, along with other specialized schools, play a critical role in providing comprehensive education. Overall, the distribution highlights a well-established system capable of serving a large and diverse student population across multiple educational levels.

Having explored the number and types of higher education institutions, it is essential to examine enrollment metrics, which reveal how many students these institutions serve annually.

College enrollment trends and statistics

Enrollment trends in U.S. colleges and universities

Enrollment patterns in the U.S. differ significantly between public and private institutions.

From 1975 to 2023, the average enrollment per public institution grew steadily, reflecting the expanding role of public colleges and universities.

Meanwhile, private institutions maintained much smaller but more stable enrollment figures, highlighting differences in scale and capacity between public and private higher education.

• Average enrollment per public institution reached 8,648 in 2023, up from 6,165 in 1975, indicating a long-term growth trend.
• Private institutions averaged 2,269 students in 2023, a notable increase from 1,496 in 1975.
• Public colleges consistently enroll about 3-4 times more students than private colleges, exemplifying the scale difference between the two sectors.

Average college enrollment by institution type

Year	Average enrollment per public institution	Average enrollment per private institution
1975	6,165	1,496
1976	6,001	1,489
1977	6,080	1,533
1978	5,965	1,525
1979	6,131	1,526
1980	6,412	1,574
1981	6,444	1,571
1982	6,473	1,555
1983	6,485	1,557
1984	6,399	1,533
1985	6,315	1,512
1986	6,485	1,514
1987	6,506	1,491
1988	6,387	1,450
1989	6,686	1,493
1990	6,938	1,508
1991	7,217	1,531
1992	7,124	1,549
1993	6,890	1,547
1994	6,851	1,567
1995	6,760	1,548
1996	6,719	1,583
1997	6,578	1,433
1998	6,525	1,429
1999	6,767	1,468
2000	6,987	1,482
2001	7,204	1,487
2002	7,444	1,554
2003	7,511	1,650
2004	7,547	1,706
2005	7,660	1,775
2006	7,782	1,773
2007	7,998	1,812
2008	8,291	1,916
2009	8,837	2,013
2010	9,056	2,082
2011	9,128	2,003
2012	9,026	1,884
2013	9,086	1,814
2014	9,018	1,792
2015	8,990	1,802
2016	9,004	1,776
2017	8,978	1,902
2018	8,942	1,903
2019	8,865	2,131
2020	8,544	2,182
2021	8,535	2,181
2022	8,531	2,196
2023	8,648	2,269

Over the last five decades, U.S. higher education has seen significant enrollment growth, especially in public institutions. This growth reflects both increased demand for higher education and the capacity of public colleges and universities to accommodate more students. Private institutions, while smaller in scale, have also experienced gradual growth, maintaining a critical role in offering diverse educational opportunities. Overall, enrollment metrics provide insight into how the U.S. education system balances accessibility, size, and institutional type to meet student needs.

After examining average enrollment trends, it is insightful to look at the largest universities in the U.S. by enrollment, which illustrate the scale of individual institutions.

Top 10 largest U.S. universities by undergraduate enrollment

Some universities in the United States serve tens of thousands of students, far exceeding the average enrollment figures discussed earlier. These institutions not only accommodate large student populations but also play a major role in shaping higher education accessibility across the country. The chart highlights the largest universities in the U.S. by enrollment, focusing on undergraduate populations in fall 2024.

• Arizona State University tops the list with 65,450 undergraduates, making it the largest U.S. university by enrollment.
• Texas A&M University and the University of Central Florida follow closely, enrolling 60,710 and 59,649 students, respectively.
• Kennesaw State University rounds out the top 10 with 42,840 students, showing that even the 10th-largest institution serves a substantial student body.

Largest universities in the U.S. by enrollment: student numbers by institution

The largest U.S. universities have undergraduate enrollments ranging from roughly 43,000 to 65,000 students, far above the national average for both public and private institutions. These institutions demonstrate the scale and diversity of higher education in America, accommodating large student populations across multiple campuses and programs.

Understanding the largest universities by enrollment provides context for national trends, resource allocation, and the impact of high-capacity institutions on the higher education landscape.

Conclusions

Sources

• Degree-Granting Postsecondary Institutions, by Control and Classification of Institution and State or Jurisdiction: Academic Year 2022-23. https://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d23/tables/dt23_317.20.asp. Accessed 17 November 2025.
• Degree-Granting Postsecondary Institutions, by Control and Level of Institution: Selected Academic Years, 1949-50 through 2022-23. https://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d23/tables/dt23_317.10.asp. Accessed 17 November 2025.
• Degree-Granting Postsecondary Institutions That Have Closed, by Control and Level of Institution: Academic Years 1969-70 through 2022-23. https://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d23/tables/dt23_317.50.asp. Accessed 17 November 2025.
• Total Fall Enrollment in Degree-Granting Postsecondary Institutions, by Attendance Status, Sex of Student, and Control of Institution: Selected Years, 1947 through 2023. https://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d24/tables/dt24_303.10.asp. Accessed 17 November 2025.
• “Best National Universities Rankings.” US News. https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities?myCollege=national-universities&_sort=enrollment&_sortDirection=desc&_mode=table. Accessed 17 November 2025.