You might be interested in attending a big college, but just how big are you thinking? Some schools have over 40,000 undergraduates, making them the size of a small city. These schools can provide great opportunities to students, but they can also be a little overwhelming.
In this article, I'll give you a list of the 51 biggest colleges for undergraduates in the US along with student feedback about what it‘s really like to be part of such a large college community.
Why Are These Colleges So Big?
Most of the biggest colleges are public state universities. It makes sense that these schools attract the most students because they provide incentives for students who live in the state to attend.
The largest schools are located in the most populous states. Thus, California, Texas, and Florida (the three most populous states in the US) are home to many of the schools on this list.
These schools are also large because they are meccas for academic research and offer a wide variety of programs to students. Being located in populous states means that these universities must cater to diverse groups of people, leading to the creation of more academic options and research facilities that encourage even more students to enroll. It‘s essentially a cycle of increasing returns for the schools. Public universities also have the resources to grow their campuses and facilities through government support.
There are some very large private colleges, but it‘s difficult for them to rival the size of government-funded public universities. Other circumstances have contributed to the growth of big private colleges, from wealthy alumni to religious connections. For example, Brigham Young University—the private college with the largest undergraduate population—has grown so large mainly due to its affiliation with the (rapidly expanding) Mormon Church.
What's It Like at a Huge College?
Here are some testimonials from students about what it‘s like to attend three of the largest colleges in the country.
Texas A&M University
"I don't regret one moment, because I loved the overall camaraderie of the school—they don't call it the friendliest campus in America without reason!"
"I am a theatre major at Texas A&M, a program most people are unaware even exists. It is tough being in a small department in a large school, but simply due to the Aggie Network and facilities present for all students, even those of us in small departments are learning as much as we possibly can."
"Students have access to different student services, like a writing center that will help with papers and research, a testing center that will help you to study better and make learning easier, an on-campus health center, and even small things that make huge differences like 300 free prints a semester in the computer center and access to free programs at the recreation center."
"Texas A&M is an excellent university for those students who love or don't mind traditions."
The administration building at Texas A&M
Purdue University
"I really enjoy the classes I am taking, and the social life is awesome! There is definitely something for everyone. Whether you are wanting to get involved in Greek life or maybe just a few clubs, it all is available at Purdue. Being able to attend Big Ten sporting events isn't so bad either."
"Purdue has something to offer for everyone, no matter where they come from, what their major is, or what their interests are. It is a well-rounded university, full of students who are proud to study there."
"I used to think I wanted to go to a small school, but at Purdue, you get both the big-school and small-school experience. Attention in classes (sometimes you have to seek it out, but it's there), but huge atmosphere where the possibilities are endless."
A fountain on Purdue's campus
UCLA
"It will be entirely up to you to do homework problems and to go to office hours for questions and insight. Self-motivation, especially in science and math courses, is a key factor to success here."
"At UCLA, the world awaits. Shy and overly reserved people will miss out on all that the school has to offer."
"At this university, I am receiving the total package: academics, research, and world-renowned athletic programs. I can honestly say that the balanced undergraduate experience I am obtaining is worth every penny."
"With hundreds of student organizations available every year, UCLA makes it easy to find one‘s niche."
"The diversity here is truly astounding, with people from all types of backgrounds, and you truly gain a more global perspective."
The UCLA campus
At these schools, you can expect virtually endless resources, diversity, and extracurricular activities, but you have to be willing to get yourself out there and be self-motivated. If you‘re a driven, outgoing student, you‘re likely to thrive at a huge college.
The Biggest Colleges (Public and Private)
I‘ve included two lists: one for the biggest public colleges, and one for the biggest private colleges.
The public colleges below have more than 28,000 undergraduates, and the private colleges have more than 16,000 undergraduates. I did not include colleges where a large portion of the student body is composed of online students because this doesn‘t create the same environment as a school that has a huge on-campus population.
All schools below are arranged by undergraduate enrollment, from largest to smallest. In addition, all enrollment statistics are for fall 2021 unless otherwise noted.
Biggest Public Colleges in the US by On-Campus Undergraduate Enrollment
Biggest Private Colleges in the US by On-Campus Undergraduate Enrollment
| College | Undergraduate Enrollment |
| Brigham Young University | 31,627 |
| New York University | 29,700 |
| Northeastern University | 22,314 |
| University of Southern California | 20,505 |
| Boston University | 16,530 |
More Resources for Researching Big Colleges
If you know you're interested in attending a big school but aren't sure which one is right for you or are worried about how different it will be from high school, consider checking out the following books:
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Princeton Review's The Complete Book of Colleges and the Fiske Guide to Colleges — These huge, comprehensive tomes include information about hundreds of colleges across the US, so you can easily compare and contrast your options.
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Where You Go Is Not Who You'll Be: An Antidote to the College Admissions Mania by Frank Bruni — If you're stressed about finding the perfect school, check out this argument for being a bit more relaxed when planning your future.
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The System: The Glory and Scandal of Big-Time College Football by Jeff Benedict and Armen Keteyian — If you're interested in a college with a big sports program, this deep dive into the scandals of college sports is essential reading.
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Educated by Tara Westover — This memoir describes the author's journey from her isolated, abusive childhood to college at Brigham Young University and graduate school at Cambridge.
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Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell — This popular novel recounts Cath's difficulties adjusting to college life in her first year at University of Nebraska.
What's Next?
Is a big college the right choice for you? Read my article on deciding whether big or small schools will work better for your goals and personality.
Worried about increasingly higher tuition price tags? Find out how much it really costs to attend college.
Another decision you'll have to make before you apply to college is how far away you want to go. Check out this article on whether you should attend college close to home.
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