Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in United States
United States: Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) was 18.05 million in 2023. ▼ Falling
Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in United States, 2014–2023
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
The most recent figure for enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in United States is 18.05 million, measured in 2023.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 1.1% on the previous year and down 8.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in United States peaked at 19.70 million in 2014 and was at its lowest, 17.86 million, in 2022.
That places United States 3rd out of 200 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the top 10%.
Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in United States, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 19.70 million | — |
| 2015 | 19.53 million | -0.9% |
| 2016 | 19.29 million | -1.2% |
| 2017 | 19.01 million | -1.4% |
| 2018 | 18.94 million | -0.4% |
| 2019 | 18.83 million | -0.6% |
| 2020 | 18.76 million | -0.4% |
| 2021 | 18.16 million | -3.2% |
| 2022 | 17.86 million | -1.6% |
| 2023 | 18.05 million | +1.1% |
United States compared with similar countries
- United States's 18.05 million is above the median for high income countries, which is 158,952, 113.6× the median. (76 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 19.22 million | 18.83 million | 19.70 million | 6 |
| 2020s | 18.21 million | 17.86 million | 18.76 million | 4 |
Countries ranked near United States
More education data for United States
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 1.74 million (2023)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 419,732 (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 4.34 million (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 4.14 million (2023)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 25.35 million (2023)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 23.83 million (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 1.33 % change on previous year (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.0708 units per person (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in United States?
- Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in United States was 18.05 million in 2023, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes recorded in United States?
- The highest recorded value was 19.70 million in 2014.
- What is the lowest enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes recorded in United States?
- The lowest recorded value was 17.86 million in 2022.
- How does United States rank for enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes?
- United States ranks 3rd out of 200 countries with data for 2023.
- Is enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes rising or falling in United States?
- Over the last ten years it is down 8.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this United States data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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CSV · JSON — 10 observations, free to reuse under CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO (UNESCO Institute for Statistics).
About this data
February 2026 Data Release