Table 306.20.

Total fall enrollment in degree-granting postsecondary institutions, by level and control of institution and race/ethnicity of student: Selected years, 1976 through 2016

Level and control of institution and race/ethnicity of student	Fall enrollment (in thousands)											Percentage distribution of U.S. residents
	1976	1980	1990	2000	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	1976	1980	1990	2000	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016
1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23
All students, total	10,985.6	12,086.8	13,818.6	15,312.3	21,019.4	21,010.6	20,644.5	20,376.7	20,209.1	19,988.2	19,841.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0
White	9,076.1	9,833.0	10,722.5	10,462.1	12,720.8	12,401.9	11,982.2	11,589.4	11,239.3	10,939.2	10,712.9	84.3	83.5	79.9	70.8	62.6	61.2	60.3	59.3	58.3	57.6	56.9
Total, selected races/ethnicities	1,690.8	1,948.8	2,704.7	4,321.5	7,591.0	7,868.2	7,878.7	7,947.1	8,052.0	8,066.7	8,130.1	15.7	16.5	20.1	29.2	37.4	38.8	39.7	40.7	41.7	42.4	43.1
Black	1,033.0	1,106.8	1,247.0	1,730.3	3,039.0	3,079.2	2,962.4	2,872.0	2,792.8	2,681.0	2,588.2	9.6	9.4	9.3	11.7	15.0	15.2	14.9	14.7	14.5	14.1	13.7
Hispanic	383.8	471.7	782.4	1,461.8	2,748.8	2,893.0	2,980.3	3,093.2	3,191.9	3,297.7	3,426.8	3.6	4.0	5.8	9.9	13.5	14.3	15.0	15.8	16.5	17.4	18.2
Asian/Pacific Islander	197.9	286.4	572.4	978.2	1,281.6	1,277.0	1,258.2	1,259.7	1,272.2	1,284.3	1,306.5	1.8	2.4	4.3	6.6	6.3	6.3	6.3	6.4	6.6	6.8	6.9
Asian	—	—	—	—	1,217.6	1,211.0	1,194.7	1,198.7	1,213.8	1,229.0	1,253.3	—	—	—	—	6.0	6.0	6.0	6.1	6.3	6.5	6.7
Pacific Islander	—	—	—	—	64.0	66.0	63.5	61.0	58.5	55.3	53.2	—	—	—	—	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.3
American Indian/Alaska Native	76.1	83.9	102.8	151.2	196.2	186.2	173.0	162.2	152.9	146.1	142.3	0.7	0.7	0.8	1.0	1.0	0.9	0.9	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8
Two or more races	—	—	—	—	325.4	432.7	504.8	560.0	642.2	657.6	666.4	—	—	—	—	1.6	2.1	2.5	2.9	3.3	3.5	3.5
Nonresident alien1	218.7	305.0	391.5	528.7	707.7	740.5	783.6	840.2	917.8	982.3	998.0	†	†	†	†	†	†	†	†	†	†	†
Public	8,641.0	9,456.4	10,844.7	11,752.8	15,142.2	15,116.3	14,884.7	14,746.8	14,654.7	14,572.8	14,583.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0
White	7,094.5	7,656.1	8,385.4	7,963.4	9,182.1	8,938.2	8,636.4	8,363.3	8,119.6	7,910.7	7,785.6	83.5	82.7	79.2	69.8	62.5	61.0	60.0	58.8	57.7	56.7	55.8
Total, selected races/ethnicities	1,401.2	1,596.2	2,199.2	3,446.3	5,507.1	5,706.0	5,748.8	5,849.1	5,947.5	6,035.3	6,163.8	16.5	17.3	20.8	30.2	37.5	39.0	40.0	41.2	42.3	43.3	44.2
Black	831.2	876.1	976.4	1,319.2	1,988.8	2,014.0	1,937.6	1,886.5	1,840.2	1,775.1	1,739.6	9.8	9.5	9.2	11.6	13.5	13.8	13.5	13.3	13.1	12.7	12.5
Hispanic	336.8	406.2	671.4	1,229.3	2,163.8	2,277.6	2,366.8	2,479.4	2,580.4	2,694.5	2,818.6	4.0	4.4	6.3	10.8	14.7	15.6	16.5	17.4	18.3	19.3	20.2
Asian/Pacific Islander	165.7	239.7	461.0	770.5	968.7	958.5	942.6	944.9	955.9	970.1	990.4	2.0	2.6	4.4	6.8	6.6	6.5	6.6	6.6	6.8	7.0	7.1
Asian	—	—	—	—	924.8	915.5	901.2	905.7	918.5	934.3	955.8	—	—	—	—	6.3	6.3	6.3	6.4	6.5	6.7	6.9
Pacific Islander	—	—	—	—	43.9	43.0	41.4	39.2	37.4	35.8	34.6	—	—	—	—	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.2
American Indian/Alaska Native	67.5	74.2	90.4	127.3	150.8	142.5	131.8	124.4	117.8	113.7	110.7	0.8	0.8	0.9	1.1	1.0	1.0	0.9	0.9	0.8	0.8	0.8
Two or more races	—	—	—	—	235.0	313.4	370.0	414.0	453.2	482.0	504.6	—	—	—	—	1.6	2.1	2.6	2.9	3.2	3.5	3.6
Nonresident alien1	145.3	204.2	260.0	343.1	453.0	472.0	499.5	534.5	587.6	626.8	633.5	†	†	†	†	†	†	†	†	†	†	†
Private	2,344.6	2,630.4	2,973.9	3,559.5	5,877.3	5,894.3	5,759.8	5,629.8	5,554.4	5,415.4	5,258.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0
White	1,981.6	2,176.9	2,337.0	2,498.7	3,538.7	3,463.6	3,345.7	3,226.1	3,119.7	3,028.5	2,927.3	87.3	86.1	82.2	74.1	62.9	61.6	61.1	60.6	59.7	59.9	59.8
Total, selected races/ethnicities	289.6	352.7	505.5	875.2	2,083.9	2,162.2	2,130.0	2,098.0	2,104.5	2,031.4	1,966.3	12.7	13.9	17.8	25.9	37.1	38.4	38.9	39.4	40.3	40.1	40.2
Black	201.8	230.7	270.6	411.1	1,050.2	1,065.2	1,024.9	985.6	952.7	906.0	848.6	8.9	9.1	9.5	12.2	18.7	18.9	18.7	18.5	18.2	17.9	17.3
Hispanic	47.0	65.6	111.0	232.5	585.0	615.4	613.5	613.8	611.4	603.2	608.2	2.1	2.6	3.9	6.9	10.4	10.9	11.2	11.5	11.7	11.9	12.4
Asian/Pacific Islander	32.2	46.7	111.5	207.7	312.8	318.6	315.6	314.8	316.4	314.2	316.1	1.4	1.8	3.9	6.2	5.6	5.7	5.8	5.9	6.1	6.2	6.5
Asian	—	—	—	—	292.7	295.5	293.5	293.0	295.3	294.7	297.5	—	—	—	—	5.2	5.3	5.4	5.5	5.7	5.8	6.1
Pacific Islander	—	—	—	—	20.1	23.0	22.2	21.8	21.1	19.5	18.6	—	—	—	—	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.4
American Indian/Alaska Native	8.6	9.7	12.4	23.9	45.5	43.7	41.3	37.8	35.1	32.5	31.6	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.7	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.7	0.7	0.6	0.6
Two or more races	—	—	—	—	90.4	119.3	134.7	146.0	189.0	175.6	161.8	—	—	—	—	1.6	2.1	2.5	2.7	3.6	3.5	3.3
Nonresident alien1	73.4	100.8	131.4	185.6	254.7	268.5	284.1	305.7	330.2	355.5	364.5	†	†	†	†	†	†	†	†	†	†	†
4-year, total	7,106.5	7,565.4	8,578.6	9,363.9	13,335.8	13,499.4	13,476.6	13,406.0	13,494.4	13,488.7	13,750.8	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0
White	5,999.0	6,274.5	6,768.1	6,658.0	8,399.5	8,309.6	8,143.2	7,954.2	7,829.1	7,713.4	7,712.5	86.6	85.7	82.0	74.6	66.0	64.6	63.7	62.8	61.8	61.2	60.0
Total, selected races/ethnicities	931.0	1,049.9	1,486.1	2,266.1	4,328.0	4,545.2	4,643.5	4,703.8	4,843.0	4,897.2	5,134.4	13.4	14.3	18.0	25.4	34.0	35.4	36.3	37.2	38.2	38.8	40.0
Black	603.7	634.3	722.8	995.4	1,840.0	1,879.7	1,845.6	1,799.2	1,778.7	1,740.5	1,722.8	8.7	8.7	8.8	11.2	14.5	14.6	14.4	14.2	14.0	13.8	13.4
Hispanic	173.6	216.6	358.2	617.9	1,355.9	1,453.5	1,532.6	1,599.6	1,670.8	1,742.1	1,932.2	2.5	3.0	4.3	6.9	10.7	11.3	12.0	12.6	13.2	13.8	15.0
Asian/Pacific Islander	118.7	162.1	357.2	576.3	818.5	831.9	834.3	843.7	864.8	882.5	929.3	1.7	2.2	4.3	6.5	6.4	6.5	6.5	6.7	6.8	7.0	7.2
Asian	—	—	—	—	782.5	793.2	795.6	806.1	827.5	847.1	893.6	—	—	—	—	6.1	6.2	6.2	6.4	6.5	6.7	7.0
Pacific Islander	—	—	—	—	36.0	38.7	38.7	37.6	37.3	35.4	35.7	—	—	—	—	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.3
American Indian/Alaska Native	35.0	36.9	47.9	76.5	109.0	105.1	98.1	91.4	87.0	83.4	83.6	0.5	0.5	0.6	0.9	0.9	0.8	0.8	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7
Two or more races	—	—	—	—	204.6	275.0	332.9	369.8	441.7	448.8	466.5	—	—	—	—	1.6	2.1	2.6	2.9	3.5	3.6	3.6
Nonresident alien1	176.5	240.9	324.3	439.7	608.3	644.6	689.9	748.0	822.4	878.1	903.9	†	†	†	†	†	†	†	†	†	†	†
Public	4,892.9	5,127.6	5,848.2	6,055.4	7,924.1	8,048.1	8,092.6	8,120.4	8,257.1	8,348.5	8,741.9	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0
White	4,120.2	4,243.0	4,605.6	4,311.2	5,069.6	5,028.3	4,952.3	4,867.1	4,833.9	4,790.3	4,878.6	86.1	85.1	81.5	74.4	67.0	65.6	64.4	63.4	62.3	61.2	59.5
Total, selected races/ethnicities	666.7	740.8	1,046.2	1,486.4	2,496.8	2,640.2	2,732.0	2,808.6	2,928.6	3,032.7	3,320.7	13.9	14.9	18.5	25.6	33.0	34.4	35.6	36.6	37.7	38.8	40.5
Black	421.8	438.2	495.1	627.8	912.6	931.8	922.5	909.0	914.8	916.0	950.8	8.8	8.8	8.8	10.8	12.1	12.2	12.0	11.8	11.8	11.7	11.6
Hispanic	129.3	156.4	262.5	420.0	869.5	945.5	1,007.0	1,063.4	1,133.0	1,199.5	1,379.5	2.7	3.1	4.6	7.2	11.5	12.3	13.1	13.9	14.6	15.3	16.8
Asian/Pacific Islander	87.5	117.2	250.6	381.3	522.8	531.4	535.0	544.7	563.1	579.4	623.5	1.8	2.4	4.4	6.6	6.9	6.9	7.0	7.1	7.3	7.4	7.6
Asian	—	—	—	—	504.7	512.3	516.1	526.1	544.3	562.0	605.0	—	—	—	—	6.7	6.7	6.7	6.9	7.0	7.2	7.4
Pacific Islander	—	—	—	—	18.1	19.0	19.0	18.6	18.7	17.4	18.5	—	—	—	—	0.2	0.2	0.2	0.2	0.2	0.2	0.2
American Indian/Alaska Native	28.2	29.0	38.0	57.2	69.5	66.2	61.3	58.1	56.0	54.6	55.3	0.6	0.6	0.7	1.0	0.9	0.9	0.8	0.8	0.7	0.7	0.7
Two or more races	—	—	—	—	122.4	165.4	206.2	233.4	261.9	283.2	311.6	—	—	—	—	1.6	2.2	2.7	3.0	3.4	3.6	3.8
Nonresident alien1	106.0	143.8	196.4	257.8	357.8	379.6	408.2	444.8	494.6	525.6	542.5	†	†	†	†	†	†	†	†	†	†	†
Private	2,213.6	2,437.8	2,730.3	3,308.5	5,411.7	5,451.3	5,384.0	5,285.6	5,237.3	5,140.2	5,008.9	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0
White	1,878.8	2,031.5	2,162.5	2,346.9	3,330.0	3,281.2	3,190.9	3,087.1	2,995.2	2,923.1	2,833.8	87.7	86.8	83.1	75.1	64.5	63.3	62.5	62.0	61.0	61.1	61.0
Total, selected races/ethnicities	264.3	309.2	439.8	779.7	1,831.2	1,905.0	1,911.4	1,895.2	1,914.3	1,864.5	1,813.7	12.3	13.2	16.9	24.9	35.5	36.7	37.5	38.0	39.0	38.9	39.0
Black	182.0	196.1	227.7	367.6	927.4	947.9	923.1	890.3	864.0	824.5	772.0	8.5	8.4	8.7	11.8	18.0	18.3	18.1	17.9	17.6	17.2	16.6
Hispanic	44.3	60.2	95.7	197.9	486.3	508.0	525.6	536.2	537.8	542.7	552.7	2.1	2.6	3.7	6.3	9.4	9.8	10.3	10.8	11.0	11.3	11.9
Asian/Pacific Islander	31.2	44.9	106.6	195.0	295.7	300.6	299.3	299.0	301.7	303.0	305.8	1.5	1.9	4.1	6.2	5.7	5.8	5.9	6.0	6.1	6.3	6.6
Asian	—	—	—	—	277.8	280.8	279.5	280.0	283.1	285.1	288.6	—	—	—	—	5.4	5.4	5.5	5.6	5.8	6.0	6.2
Pacific Islander	—	—	—	—	17.9	19.7	19.8	19.0	18.6	18.0	17.2	—	—	—	—	0.3	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.4
American Indian/Alaska Native	6.8	7.9	9.9	19.3	39.6	38.9	36.8	33.3	31.0	28.8	28.2	0.3	0.3	0.4	0.6	0.8	0.8	0.7	0.7	0.6	0.6	0.6
Two or more races	—	—	—	—	82.2	109.6	126.7	136.4	179.8	165.6	154.9	—	—	—	—	1.6	2.1	2.5	2.7	3.7	3.5	3.3
Nonresident alien1	70.5	97.1	127.9	181.9	250.6	265.1	281.7	303.2	327.8	352.5	361.4	†	†	†	†	†	†	†	†	†	†	†
2-year, total	3,879.1	4,521.4	5,240.1	5,948.4	7,683.6	7,511.2	7,167.8	6,970.6	6,714.7	6,499.5	6,090.2	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0
White	3,077.1	3,558.5	3,954.3	3,804.1	4,321.3	4,092.3	3,838.9	3,635.2	3,410.2	3,225.8	3,000.4	80.2	79.8	76.4	64.9	57.0	55.2	54.3	52.8	51.5	50.4	50.0
Total, selected races/ethnicities	759.8	898.9	1,218.6	2,055.4	3,263.0	3,323.0	3,235.3	3,243.3	3,209.1	3,169.5	2,995.7	19.8	20.2	23.6	35.1	43.0	44.8	45.7	47.2	48.5	49.6	50.0
Black	429.3	472.5	524.3	734.9	1,198.9	1,199.5	1,116.9	1,072.8	1,014.1	940.5	865.4	11.2	10.6	10.1	12.5	15.8	16.2	15.8	15.6	15.3	14.7	14.4
Hispanic	210.2	255.1	424.2	843.9	1,393.0	1,439.5	1,447.7	1,493.5	1,521.1	1,555.6	1,494.6	5.5	5.7	8.2	14.4	18.4	19.4	20.5	21.7	23.0	24.3	24.9
Asian/Pacific Islander	79.2	124.3	215.2	401.9	463.1	445.1	424.0	416.0	407.5	401.9	377.1	2.1	2.8	4.2	6.9	6.1	6.0	6.0	6.0	6.2	6.3	6.3
Asian	—	—	—	—	435.1	417.8	399.1	392.6	386.3	381.9	359.7	—	—	—	—	5.7	5.6	5.6	5.7	5.8	6.0	6.0
Pacific Islander	—	—	—	—	28.0	27.3	24.8	23.4	21.2	19.9	17.5	—	—	—	—	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.3
American Indian/Alaska Native	41.2	47.0	54.9	74.7	87.2	81.1	74.9	70.8	66.0	62.8	58.7	1.1	1.1	1.1	1.3	1.1	1.1	1.1	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0
Two or more races	—	—	—	—	120.8	157.7	171.9	190.2	200.5	208.7	199.9	—	—	—	—	1.6	2.1	2.4	2.8	3.0	3.3	3.3
Nonresident alien1	42.2	64.1	67.1	89.0	99.3	95.9	93.7	92.1	95.4	104.2	94.1	†	†	†	†	†	†	†	†	†	†	†
Public	3,748.1	4,328.8	4,996.5	5,697.4	7,218.1	7,068.2	6,792.1	6,626.4	6,397.6	6,224.3	5,841.1	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0
White	2,974.3	3,413.1	3,779.8	3,652.2	4,112.5	3,909.9	3,684.1	3,496.2	3,285.7	3,120.4	2,907.0	80.2	80.0	76.6	65.1	57.7	56.1	55.0	53.5	52.1	51.0	50.6
Total, selected races/ethnicities	734.5	855.4	1,153.0	1,959.9	3,010.3	3,065.8	3,016.7	3,040.5	3,018.9	3,002.6	2,843.1	19.8	20.0	23.4	34.9	42.3	43.9	45.0	46.5	47.9	49.0	49.4
Black	409.5	437.9	481.4	691.4	1,076.1	1,082.2	1,015.0	977.5	925.4	859.0	788.8	11.0	10.3	9.8	12.3	15.1	15.5	15.1	15.0	14.7	14.0	13.7
Hispanic	207.5	249.8	408.9	809.2	1,294.3	1,332.1	1,359.8	1,415.9	1,447.5	1,495.1	1,439.1	5.6	5.9	8.3	14.4	18.2	19.1	20.3	21.7	23.0	24.4	25.0
Asian/Pacific Islander	78.2	122.5	210.3	389.2	445.9	427.1	407.6	400.2	392.8	390.7	366.8	2.1	2.9	4.3	6.9	6.3	6.1	6.1	6.1	6.2	6.4	6.4
Asian	—	—	—	—	420.2	403.1	385.2	379.6	374.2	372.3	350.8	—	—	—	—	5.9	5.8	5.7	5.8	5.9	6.1	6.1
Pacific Islander	—	—	—	—	25.7	24.0	22.4	20.6	18.7	18.4	16.1	—	—	—	—	0.4	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.3
American Indian/Alaska Native	39.3	45.2	52.4	70.1	81.3	76.3	70.4	66.3	61.9	59.1	55.3	1.1	1.1	1.1	1.2	1.1	1.1	1.1	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0
Two or more races	—	—	—	—	112.7	148.0	163.8	180.6	191.3	198.8	193.1	—	—	—	—	1.6	2.1	2.4	2.8	3.0	3.2	3.4
Nonresident alien1	39.2	60.3	63.6	85.2	95.2	92.5	91.3	89.7	93.0	101.3	91.0	†	†	†	†	†	†	†	†	†	†	†
Private	131.0	192.6	243.6	251.0	465.5	443.0	375.8	344.2	317.1	275.2	249.2	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0
White	102.8	145.4	174.5	151.8	208.8	182.4	154.8	139.0	124.5	105.4	93.4	80.3	77.0	72.7	61.4	45.2	41.5	41.5	40.7	39.6	38.7	38.0
Total, selected races/ethnicities	25.3	43.5	65.6	95.5	252.7	257.2	218.5	202.8	190.2	166.8	152.6	19.7	23.0	27.3	38.6	54.8	58.5	58.5	59.3	60.4	61.3	62.0
Black	19.8	34.6	42.9	43.5	122.8	117.3	101.8	95.3	88.7	81.5	76.7	15.5	18.3	17.9	17.6	26.6	26.7	27.3	27.9	28.2	29.9	31.2
Hispanic	2.6	5.3	15.3	34.7	98.7	107.4	87.9	77.6	73.6	60.5	55.5	2.1	2.8	6.4	14.0	21.4	24.4	23.5	22.7	23.4	22.2	22.5
Asian/Pacific Islander	0.9	1.8	4.9	12.7	17.2	18.0	16.4	15.7	14.7	11.2	10.3	0.7	1.0	2.0	5.1	3.7	4.1	4.4	4.6	4.7	4.1	4.2
Asian	—	—	—	—	14.9	14.7	13.9	13.0	12.1	9.6	8.9	—	—	—	—	3.2	3.3	3.7	3.8	3.9	3.5	3.6
Pacific Islander	—	—	—	—	2.2	3.3	2.4	2.8	2.5	1.5	1.4	—	—	—	—	0.5	0.7	0.6	0.8	0.8	0.6	0.6
American Indian/Alaska Native	1.8	1.8	2.5	4.5	5.9	4.8	4.5	4.5	4.1	3.7	3.4	1.4	1.0	1.1	1.8	1.3	1.1	1.2	1.3	1.3	1.4	1.4
Two or more races	—	—	—	—	8.1	9.7	8.0	9.7	9.2	10.0	6.8	—	—	—	—	1.8	2.2	2.1	2.8	2.9	3.7	2.8
Nonresident alien1	3.0	3.7	3.5	3.8	4.1	3.4	2.4	2.5	2.4	2.9	3.1	†	†	†	†	†	†	†	†	†	†	†

—Not available.

†Not applicable.

1 Race/ethnicity not collected.

NOTE: Race categories exclude persons of Hispanic ethnicity. Because of underreporting and nonreporting of racial/ethnic data, some figures are slightly lower than corresponding data in other tables. Data through 1990 are for institutions of higher education, while later data are for degree-granting institutions. Degree-granting institutions grant associate’s or higher degrees and participate in Title IV federal financial aid programs. The degree-granting classification is very similar to the earlier higher education classification, but it includes more 2-year colleges and excludes a few higher education institutions that did not grant degrees. Some data have been revised from previously published figures. Detail may not sum to totals because of rounding.

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Higher Education General Information Survey (HEGIS), "Fall Enrollment in Colleges and Universities" surveys, 1976 and 1980; Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), "Fall Enrollment Survey" (IPEDS-EF:90); and IPEDS Spring 2001 through Spring 2017, Fall Enrollment component. (This table was prepared December 2017.)