Size

Largest Colleges by Undergraduate Enrollment

These are the largest colleges in our dataset by number of undergraduates. 354 of the 354 colleges in our dataset qualify for this list, and colleges with a missing value for the fields used here are left out rather than guessed. The table below shows the top 20, led by Southern New Hampshire University (New Hampshire).

Across all 354 qualifying colleges the undergrads runs from 506 (Beacon College) to 163,164 (Southern New Hampshire University), with a median of 7,078. For comparison, the median across the 354 colleges in the full dataset that report it is 7,078.

Top 20 colleges: largest enrollment

Top 20 of 354 colleges. Source: College Scorecard, May 2026 release (file published 2026-05-26).
#CollegeStateUndergradsStudents per facultyAcceptance rateNet price
1Southern New Hampshire UniversityNH163,16424:199.5%$36,708
2Grand Canyon UniversityAZ73,37120:178.9%$22,472
3Arizona State University Campus ImmersionAZ64,67418:189.9%$14,967
4Texas A&M University-College StationTX59,61520:157.4%$21,315
5University of Central FloridaFL59,14628:140.1%$10,411
6Arizona State University Digital ImmersionAZ53,78226:166.7%—
7Liberty UniversityVA50,01218:199.0%$29,357
8Ohio State UniversityOH45,63816:160.6%$17,339
9Purdue UniversityIN44,50314:149.9%$14,600
10The University of Texas at AustinTX42,85518:126.6%$19,857
11University of ArizonaAZ42,53720:186.1%$16,674
12Pennsylvania State UniversityPA42,28416:160.6%$32,875
13Kennesaw State UniversityGA41,25423:169.2%$15,048
14Michigan State UniversityMI40,92217:184.8%$19,680
15Florida International UniversityFL39,50824:154.7%$9,288
16California State University-FullertonCA38,54626:190.5%$6,555
17University of HoustonTX38,38022:173.9%$14,276
18Indiana University-BloomingtonIN37,80618:178.2%$16,264
19Rutgers University-New BrunswickNJ37,75116:158.1%$24,406
20University of South FloridaFL37,20722:143.2%$9,812

Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, Most-Recent-Cohorts-Institution, May 2026 release (file published 2026-05-26). Data fetched 2026-10-14. Open any row for the full college profile.

What the data shows

Of the 354 qualifying colleges, 172 are public and 182 are private nonprofit. Within the table, Arizona appears 4 times, Texas appears 3 times, Florida appears 3 times. The median students per faculty among the 20 listed colleges that report it is 20:1, against 14:1 for the whole dataset. The median acceptance rate among the 20 listed colleges that report it is 68.0%, against 44.6% for the whole dataset. 15 of the 20 listed colleges report an SAT range, and the midpoints of those ranges have a median near 1280.

How to read this list

Large universities offer a wide range of majors, research, clubs and athletics, and also bigger lecture classes and more self-directed advising.

Each column in the table means the following.

Caveats

Enrollment counts degree-seeking undergraduates in fall 2022. Some large enrollments come from online programs, which can change the day-to-day campus feel.

Where to go next

To see how your own score compares, read what a 1280 SAT or a 28 ACT means for a college list, then check college costs by state for price context.

Frequently asked questions

Which college ranks first for largest enrollment?

Southern New Hampshire University is first on this list, with undergrads of 163,164. It leads 354 qualifying colleges in the dataset, so check what the number measures before treating it as a recommendation.

How many colleges are on the largest enrollment list?

354 of the 354 colleges in our dataset qualify, and the table shows the top 20. Colleges with a missing value are excluded.

Does a higher place on this list mean a better college?

No. The list sorts on one number. It does not measure teaching, fit, program strength or what you would pay, so use it to find colleges to look at and then check each profile and the college's own website.

Methodology and source

Colleges are drawn from the 354-college dataset built from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (May 2026 release (file published 2026-05-26); fetched 2026-10-14). Selection: Four-year public and private nonprofit colleges with at least 500 undergraduates: every college admitting 55% or fewer applicants, plus the 150 largest by undergraduate enrollment. Colleges that do not report test ranges are included with ranges shown as not reported. Reporting periods for the fields on this page: AcadYr 2021-22; Fall 2022. Full definitions are on the methodology page, and the numbers are available as an open download.

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