Skip to main content
What are your chances of acceptance?
Your chance of acceptance
Duke University
Loading…
UCLA
Loading…
+ add school
Your chancing factors
Unweighted GPA: 3.7
1.0
4.0
SAT: 720 math
200
800
| 800 verbal
200
800

Extracurriculars

Low accuracy (4 of 18 factors)

Which colleges have the highest student population?

Hey guys, I'm a junior and trying to figure out my college preferences. I'm undecided whether I want a big college experience with lots of students or something smaller and more intimate. Can anyone provide insight into which institutions have the largest student populations? What impact does this have on the learning experience and campus life generally?

a year ago

Certainly! Some U.S. universities known for their large student populations include University of Central Florida (UCF), Texas A&M University, and The Ohio State University, each boasting total enrollments of over 60,000 students.

Larger universities often provide a myriad of opportunities for their students. Due to their size, they usually offer a wider range of majors, classes, and research opportunities. Additionally, bigger universities often have robust athletics programs and offer a variety of extracurricular activities, clubs, and organizations. This can result in a vibrant campus life, with numerous events taking place regularly.

However, a larger student population can also affect class sizes — especially general education and introductory courses — which can sometimes reach several hundred students. While this is balanced out by smaller classes and seminars as you advance in your major, in the first year or two, it can affect your classroom experience.

It's also important to note that even within larger universities, there are often ways to find smaller communities. Many universities, for example, have residential colleges or learning communities where students can live and learn with a smaller cohort of peers.

Ultimately, your college experience will vary greatly depending on your personal preferences and how you engage with the opportunities available to you.

a year ago

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.