States with the largest higher education enrollment, fall 2017

Overall, fall enrollment declined slightly compared with last year.

Fall 2017 enrollment in U.S. degree-granting higher-education institutions was 18,811,280, according to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.

The represents a 1 percent decrease from the fall 2016 number—19,010,459 students.

The largest state, California, had by far the most college students—more than 2.5 million.

The 10 states with  the most students enrolled in higher-education institutions account for more than half of the students enrolled in U.S. colleges and universities—more than 9.5 million.

Here are the 10 states that had the most students enrolled in higher-education institutions in fall 2017.

About the Author

Mike Kennedy

Senior Editor

Mike Kennedy has been writing about education for American School & University since 1999. He also has reported on schools and other topics for The Chicago Tribune, The Kansas City Star, The Kansas City Times and City News Bureau of Chicago. He is a graduate of Michigan State University.

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