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Fast FactsEducational institutions
Question:
How many postsecondary educational institutions exist in the United States?
Response:
- The number of postsecondary Title IV institutions in 2020–21 was 5,916, compared with 7,021 in 2010–11.
- Among postsecondary Title IV institutions in 2020–21, there were 1,892 public institutions, 1,754 private nonprofit institutions, and 2,270 private for-profit institutions.
- There were a total of 1,985 Title IV non-degree-granting institutions in 2020–21, compared with 2,422 in 2010–11.
- There were a total of 3,931 Title IV degree-granting institutions in 2020–21, compared with 4,599 in 2010–11.
- Among Title IV degree-granting institutions in 2020–21, there were 1,294 2-year colleges and 2,637 4-year colleges.
| Number of educational institutions, by level and control of institution: Selected years, 2010–11 through 2020–21 | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level and control of institution | 2010–11 | 2011–12 | 2012–13 | 2013–14 | 2014–15 | 2015–16 | 2016–17 | 2017–18 | 2018–19 | 2019–20 | 2020–21 |
| Postsecondary Title IV institutions | 7,021 | 7,234 | 7,253 | 7,236 | 7,151 | 7,021 | 6,606 | 6,502 | 6,138 | 5,999 | 5,916 |
| Public | 2,015 | 2,011 | 1,981 | 1,980 | 1,964 | 1,965 | 1,958 | 1,955 | 1,952 | 1,933 | 1,892 |
| Private nonprofit | 1,812 | 1,830 | 1,820 | 1,834 | 1,827 | 1,859 | 1,823 | 1,826 | 1,780 | 1,774 | 1,754 |
| Private for-profit | 3,194 | 3,393 | 3,452 | 3,422 | 3,360 | 3,197 | 2,825 | 2,721 | 2,406 | 2,292 | 2,270 |
| Title IV non-degree-granting institutions | 2,422 | 2,528 | 2,527 | 2,512 | 2,524 | 2,438 | 2,246 | 2,189 | 2,096 | 2,017 | 1,985 |
| Title IV degree-granting institutions | 4,599 | 4,706 | 4,726 | 4,724 | 4,627 | 4,583 | 4,360 | 4,313 | 4,042 | 3,982 | 3,931 |
| 2-year colleges | 1,729 | 1,738 | 1,700 | 1,685 | 1,616 | 1,579 | 1,528 | 1,485 | 1,339 | 1,303 | 1,294 |
| 4-year colleges | 2,870 | 2,968 | 3,026 | 3,039 | 3,011 | 3,004 | 2,832 | 2,828 | 2,703 | 2,679 | 2,637 |
NOTE: Data in this table represent the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Postsecondary data are for Title IV degree-granting and non-degree-granting institutions. Degree-granting institutions grant associate’s or higher degrees and participate in Title IV federal financial aid programs. Some data have been revised from previously published figures.
SOURCE: National Center for Education Statistics. (2022) Table 105.50. Number of educational institutions, by level and control of institution: 2010–11 through 2020–21 [Data table]. In Digest of education statistics. U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences. Retrieved November 15, 2022, from https://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d22/tables/dt22_105.50.asp.
Related Tables and Figures: (Listed by Release Date)
- 2022, Digest of Education Statistics 2021, Table 317.10. Degree-granting postsecondary institutions, by control and level of institution: Selected years, 1949–50 through 2020–21
- 2022, Digest of Education Statistics 2021, Table 317.20. Degree-granting postsecondary institutions, by control and classification of institution and state or jurisdiction: 2020–21
- 2022, Digest of Education Statistics 2021, Table 317.30. Number of non-degree-granting institutions offering postsecondary education, by control of institution and state or jurisdiction: Selected years, 2000–01 through 2020–21
- 2022, IPEDS Data Explorer, Table 1. Number and percentage distribution of Title IV institutions, by control of institution, level of institution, and region: United States and other U.S. jurisdictions, academic year 2021–22
- 2022, The Condition of Education 2022: Characteristics of Degree-Granting Postsecondary Institutions
Other Resources: (Listed by Release Date)
- 2022, College Navigator: College Navigator is a free consumer information tool designed to help students, parents, high school counselors, and others get information about postsecondary institutions.
- 2022, Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS): IPEDS is a system of surveys designed to collect data from all primary providers of postsecondary education.
