As the cost of higher education continues to soar, it’s important to know which colleges are the most popular in each state. This knowledge can help students and their families make informed decisions about where to apply and how to prioritize their choices.
Here’s a rundown of the most popular colleges in all 50 states, based on enrollment numbers:
Alabama – University of Alabama
With over 37,000 undergraduate and graduate students, the University of Alabama is the largest public university in Alabama and the most popular.
Alaska – University of Alaska Anchorage
As the largest university in Alaska, the University of Alaska Anchorage serves nearly 16,000 students across its campuses.
Arizona – Arizona State University
Arizona State University is the largest public university in Arizona, serving over 74,000 students across its four campuses.
Arkansas – University of Arkansas
As the flagship campus of the University of Arkansas System, the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville is the most popular college in the state.
California – University of California, Los Angeles
UCLA is one of the most well-known and highly regarded universities in the world, with over 44,000 undergraduate and graduate students enrolled.
Colorado – University of Colorado Boulder
As the flagship university of the University of Colorado System, CU Boulder is home to over 35,000 students and is known for its research capabilities and scenic campus location.
Connecticut – University of Connecticut
The University of Connecticut is the state’s flagship public university, serving over 32,000 students across its main campus and several satellite locations.
Delaware – University of Delaware
The University of Delaware is the largest university in Delaware, serving over 23,000 students across its campuses.
Florida – University of Central Florida
With a student population of over 68,000, UCF is the largest university in Florida and one of the fastest-growing universities in the country.
Georgia – Georgia State University
Located in Atlanta, Georgia State University serves over 53,000 students across its multiple campuses and is one of the most diverse universities in the state.
Hawaii – University of Hawaii at Manoa
The University of Hawaii at Manoa is the flagship campus of the University of Hawaii System, serving over 18,000 students across its campuses.
Idaho – Boise State University
As the largest university in Idaho, Boise State University serves nearly 26,000 students and is known for its unique blue turf football field.
Illinois – University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is the flagship campus of the University of Illinois System and serves over 50,000 students.
Indiana – Purdue University
Purdue University is the largest public university in Indiana, serving over 44,000 students across its multiple campuses.
Iowa – Iowa State University
Iowa State University is the largest university in Iowa and is known for its strong programs in engineering, agriculture, and veterinary medicine.
Kansas – University of Kansas
As the largest university in Kansas, the University of Kansas serves over 28,000 students across its various campuses and is known for its strong basketball program.
Kentucky – University of Kentucky
The University of Kentucky is the largest university in Kentucky, serving over 31,000 students across its campuses and is known for its strong athletics programs.
Louisiana – Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University is the flagship university of the Louisiana State University System, serving over 34,000 students across its campuses.
Maine – University of Maine
As the flagship campus of the University of Maine System, the University of Maine serves nearly 11,000 students and is known for its strong research programs.
Maryland – University of Maryland, College Park
The University of Maryland, College Park is the flagship campus of the University of Maryland System, serving over 41,000 students across its multiple campuses.
Massachusetts – Boston University
With a student population of over 35,000, Boston University is one of the largest universities in Massachusetts and is known for its strong programs in journalism, business, and international relations.
Michigan – University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor is the flagship campus of the University of Michigan System and is one of the most highly regarded public universities in the country, serving over 44,000 students.
Minnesota – University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
As the largest university in Minnesota and the flagship campus of the University of Minnesota System, the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities serves over 51,000 students.
Mississippi – University of Mississippi
The University of Mississippi is the largest university in Mississippi and is known for its strong programs in business, education, and engineering.
Missouri – University of Missouri
The University of Missouri is the largest university in Missouri and the flagship campus of the University of Missouri System, serving over 35,000 students across its multiple campuses.
Montana – University of Montana
As the flagship campus of the Montana University System, the University of Montana serves nearly 11,000 students and is known for its strong programs in environmental studies and wildlife biology.
Nebraska – University of Nebraska-Lincoln
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is the largest university in Nebraska, serving nearly 26,000 students and is known for its strong programs in agriculture and engineering.
Nevada – University of Nevada, Las Vegas
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas is the largest university in Nevada and serves over 30,000 students across its multiple campuses.
New Hampshire – University of New Hampshire
As the flagship campus of the University of New Hampshire System, the University of New Hampshire serves over 15,000 students and is known for its strong programs in marine sciences and engineering.
New Jersey – Rutgers University
As the largest university in New Jersey, Rutgers University serves over 70,000 students across its multiple campuses and is known for its strong programs in business, law, and medicine.
New Mexico – University of New Mexico
The University of New Mexico is the largest university in New Mexico and serves over 26,000 students across its multiple campuses.
New York – New York University
With a student population of over 51,000, New York University is one of the largest private universities in the country and is known for its strong programs in business, law, and the arts.
North Carolina – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is the flagship campus of the University of North Carolina System and is one of the most highly regarded public universities in the country, serving over 29,000 students.
North Dakota – North Dakota State University
North Dakota State University is the largest university in North Dakota and serves nearly 14,000 students across its multiple campuses.
Ohio – Ohio State University
As the largest university in Ohio, Ohio State University serves over 60,000 students across its multiple campuses and is known for its strong athletics programs.
Oklahoma – University of Oklahoma
The University of Oklahoma is the largest university in Oklahoma and serves over 27,000 students across its multiple campuses and is known for its strong programs in petroleum engineering and meteorology.
Oregon – University of Oregon
As the flagship campus of the University of Oregon System, the University of Oregon serves nearly 22,000 students and is known for its strong programs in business and journalism.
Pennsylvania – Pennsylvania State University
Pennsylvania State University is the largest university in Pennsylvania and serves over 97,000 students across its multiple campuses, making it one of the largest universities in the country.
Rhode Island – University of Rhode Island
The University of Rhode Island is the largest university in Rhode Island, serving over 18,000 students and is known for its strong programs in marine biology and engineering.
South Carolina – University of South Carolina
The University of South Carolina is the largest university in South Carolina and serves over 50,000 students across its multiple campuses.
South Dakota – South Dakota State University
As the largest university in South Dakota, South Dakota State University serves nearly 12,000 students and is known for its strong programs in agriculture and engineering.
Tennessee – University of Tennessee
The University of Tennessee is the largest university in Tennessee and serves over 28,000 students across its multiple campuses.
Texas – University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is one of the most highly regarded public universities in the country and serves over 51,000 students across its multiple campuses.
Utah – University of Utah
As the flagship campus of the Utah System of Higher Education, the University of Utah serves nearly 33,000 students and is known for its strong programs in health sciences and business.
Vermont – University of Vermont
The University of Vermont is the largest university in Vermont, serving over 12,000 students and is known for its strong programs in medical sciences and environmental studies.
Virginia – Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech is the largest university in Virginia and serves over 34,000 students across its multiple campuses and is known for its strong programs in engineering and agriculture.
Washington – University of Washington
As the largest university in the Pacific Northwest, the University of Washington serves over 56,000 students across its multiple campuses and is known for its strong programs in medicine and business.
West Virginia – West Virginia University
West Virginia University is the largest university in West Virginia and serves over 27,000 students across its multiple campuses and is known for its strong programs in engineering and law.
Wisconsin – University of Wisconsin-Madison
As the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System, the University of Wisconsin-Madison serves over 45,000 students and is known for its strong programs in science and engineering.
Wyoming – University of Wyoming
The University of Wyoming is the largest university in Wyoming, serving over 11,000 students and is known for its strong programs in energy and natural resources.
In conclusion, this list highlights the most popular colleges in all 50 states, giving students and their families a better idea of what the most popular options are in their particular region. While popularity shouldn’t be the only factor considered when choosing a college, it’s important to know which schools are attracting the most students and what programs they might be strongest in.
