From 2000 to 2007, undergraduate enrollment rose by 19 percent. During this period, there were larger relative gains in female enrollment, full-time enrollment, and enrollment in private institutions than in male enrollment, part-time enrollment, and enrollment in public institutions.

Total undergraduate enrollment in degree-granting postsecondary institutions increased from 7.4 million in 1970 to 13.2 million in 2000 and to 15.6 million in 2007. According to projections, enrollment in undergraduate institutions is expected to reach 17.5 million in 2018 (the last available year of projected data).

Undergraduate enrollment grew at a faster rate during the 1970s (42 percent) than in more recent decades (see table A-10-1). It was during the 1970s that female enrollment, part-time enrollment, and enrollment in public institutions increased most rapidly (by 76, 97, and 50 percent, respectively) and contributed to the large increases in these enrollments since 1970. Undergraduate enrollment of male and female students, part- and full-time students, and students at both public and private (not-for-profit and for-profit) institutions continued to increase throughout the 1980s and 1990s, though at slower rates than they had during the 1970s. From 2000 to 2007, undergraduate enrollment rose by 19 percent. During this period, there were larger relative gains in female enrollment (20 percent), full-time enrollment (24 percent), and enrollment in private institutions (32 percent) than in male enrollment (16 percent), part-time enrollment (10 percent), and enrollment in public institutions (15 percent).

Undergraduate enrollment at 2-year institutions increased from 5.9 to 6.6 million (11 percent) from 2000 to 2007 and is expected to reach 7.5 million students by 2018 (see table A-10-2). Between 2000 and 2007, 2-year college enrollment rose at a faster rate for females (13 percent) than for males (8 percent). According to projections, this pattern will continue, with female enrollment at 2-year institutions approaching 4.5 million in 2018 and male enrollment approaching 3.0 million in 2018.

Between 2000 and 2007, full-time undergraduate enrollment in 2-year institutions increased at a faster rate (21 percent) than part-time enrollment at 2-year institutions (5 percent). Projections indicate that this pattern will continue, with full-time enrollment reaching 3.1 million in 2018 and part-time enrollment reaching 4.3 million in 2018. Enrollment in private 2-year institutions rose at a faster rate (17 percent) than enrollment in public 2-year institutions (also referred to as community colleges) (11 percent) between 2000 and 2007. According to projections, in 2018, enrollment at private 2-year institutions will reach 344,000, compared with 7.1 million for public 2-year institutions.

Undergraduate enrollment at 4-year institutions increased from 7.2 to 9.0 million (25 percent) from 2000 to 2007 and is expected to reach 10.0 million students in 2018. Female enrollment at 4-year institutions increased at a faster rate (26 percent) than male enrollment (23 percent) during this period. According to projections, this pattern will continue, with female enrollment at 4-year institutions reaching nearly 5.8 million in 2018 and male enrollment reaching 4.2 million in 2018.

Between 2000 and 2007, full-time undergraduate enrollment in 4-year institutions increased at a faster rate than part-time enrollment at 4-year institutions (25 vs. 22 percent). Projections indicate that this pattern will continue, and in 2018, full-time enrollment at 4-year institutions will reach 8.1 million and part-time enrollment will reach 2.0 million. Enrollment in private 4-year institutions rose at a faster rate (34 percent) than enrollment in public 4-year institutions (20 percent) from 2000 to 2007. According to projections, in 2018, enrollment at private 4-year institutions will reach 3.5 million, while enrollment at public 4-year institutions will reach 6.5 million.

Technical Notes

Projections are based on data through 2007 and middle alternative assumptions concerning the economy. The most recent year of actual data is 2007, and 2018 is the last year for which projected data are available. For more information on projections, see NCES 2009-062. Data for 1999 were imputed using alternative procedures. For more information, see NCES 2001-083, appendix E. For more information on the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), see supplemental note 3. For more information about the Classification of Postsecondary Education Institutions, see supplemental note 8.