China vs United States of America: Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number)

China
60.67 million
in 2024
United States of America
18.05 million
in 2023
China rank
1st
United States of America rank
3rd

Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) over time

  • China
  • United States of America
020.0M40.0M60.0M197019972024

How they compare

China currently reports 60.67 million against 18.05 million in United States of America, a difference of 42.62 million.

That makes China's figure about 3.4 times United States of America's.

Across all 10 years both countries report, China has been ahead every year.

China ranks 1st and United States of America ranks 3rd of 200 countries.

China has averaged higher in every one of the 2 decades both report.

Head to head by decade

Decade China United States of America Difference Ahead
2010s 44.21 million 19.22 million 24.99 million China
2020s 55.15 million 18.21 million 36.95 million China

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number), China or United States of America?
China, at 60.67 million against 18.05 million in United States of America as of 2024.
What is the difference in enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) between China and United States of America?
42.62 million, with China ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for China and United States of America?
10 years are reported by both, from 2014 to 2023.
How do China and United States of America rank globally for enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number)?
China ranks 1st and United States of America ranks 3rd of 200 countries.
Where does this data come from?
Statizoid (derived), published as Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number), gaps filled. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

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China vs United States of America: Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number). Statizoid, drawing on Statizoid (derived). Retrieved 10 September 2026, from https://education.statizoid.com/compare/enrolment-in-tertiary-education-all-programmes-both-sexes-number-gaps-filled/china/united-states/

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About this data

Indicator
Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number), gaps filled
Source
Statizoid (derived)
Licence
Derived by Statizoid from the sources named on the page
Coverage
421 places, 19,011 data points, 1970–2025
Last refreshed

Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) with 690 missing years estimated by linear interpolation between the nearest real observations. Only gaps of 4 years or fewer are filled, and never beyond the first or last actual measurement — these are filled holes, not forecasts.