# Largest Colleges in America

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-05-31 | Schools: 50 | Category: National
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/largest-colleges

## Methodology

Ranked by total enrollment

CollegeRanker uses a 4-pillar algorithm: Academic Quality (15-20%), Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25-35%), Value & Affordability (20-25%). Social mobility data from Raj Chetty's Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (30M+ anonymized tax records). No subjective surveys.

## Summary

Over 84% of students graduate from Texas A&M University-College Station. This high graduation rate can lead to better job prospects and earnings for families.

Families searching for the largest colleges in America often want to ensure their investment pays off. They seek schools with high graduation rates and earning potential. Data from Chetty's mobility research highlights how where you go to school can impact your financial future.

Texas A&M University-College Station stands out with an impressive $72,097 average earnings for graduates. In contrast, Southern New Hampshire University offers $50,318. This difference can greatly affect a student's financial trajectory.

## Key Findings

- 84% graduation rate at Texas A&M University-College Station.
- $72,097 average earnings for Texas A&M graduates.
- 44% graduation rate at Southern New Hampshire University.
- $12,548 net price at Western Governors University.

## Rankings

| Rank | School | Location | Graduation | Earnings (10yr) | Net Price | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|------|--------|----------|------------|-----------------|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | [Southern New Hampshire University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/southern-new-hampshire-university) | Manchester, NH | 44% | $50,318 | $36,708 | $21,082 | 0.42x |
| 2 | [Western Governors University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/western-governors-university) | Salt Lake City, UT | 48% | $60,615 | $12,548 | $11,116 | 0.18x |
| 3 | [Arizona State University Campus Immersion](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/arizona-state-university-campus-immersion) | Tempe, AZ | 68% | $62,668 | $14,967 | $19,500 | 0.31x |
| 4 | [University of Central Florida](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-central-florida) | Orlando, FL | 77% | $58,308 | $10,411 | $18,190 | 0.31x |
| 5 | [Texas A&M University-College Station](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/texas-am-university-college-station) | College Station, TX | 84% | $72,097 | $21,315 | $17,804 | 0.25x |
| 6 | [Ivy Tech Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/ivy-tech-community-college) | Indianapolis, IN | 39% | $37,186 | $7,258 | $10,727 | 0.29x |
| 7 | [Liberty University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/liberty-university) | Lynchburg, VA | 64% | $44,813 | $29,357 | $24,500 | 0.55x |
| 8 | [Arizona State University Digital Immersion](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/arizona-state-university-digital-immersion) | Scottsdale, AZ | 29% | $62,668 | N/A | $19,500 | 0.31x |
| 9 | [University of Maryland Global Campus](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-maryland-global-campus) | Adelphi, MD | 31% | $65,287 | $22,063 | $21,000 | 0.32x |
| 10 | [Ohio State University-Main Campus](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/ohio-state-university-main-campus) | Columbus, OH | 88% | $60,409 | $17,339 | $19,976 | 0.33x |
| 11 | [Brigham Young University-Idaho](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/brigham-young-university-idaho) | Rexburg, ID | 55% | $53,406 | $8,221 | $13,969 | 0.26x |
| 12 | [Purdue University-Main Campus](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/purdue-university-main-campus) | West Lafayette, IN | 83% | $72,424 | $14,600 | $19,500 | 0.27x |
| 13 | [The University of Texas at Austin](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/the-university-of-texas-at-austin) | Austin, TX | 88% | $75,121 | $19,857 | $20,500 | 0.27x |
| 14 | [University of Arizona](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-arizona) | Tucson, AZ | 67% | $59,979 | $16,674 | $19,620 | 0.33x |
| 15 | [Michigan State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/michigan-state-university) | East Lansing, MI | 81% | $67,253 | $19,680 | $23,250 | 0.35x |
| 16 | [Kennesaw State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/kennesaw-state-university) | Kennesaw, GA | 50% | $57,552 | $15,048 | $23,833 | 0.41x |
| 17 | [Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/pennsylvania-state-university-main-campus) | University Park, PA | 86% | $63,435 | $32,875 | $25,000 | 0.39x |
| 18 | [Miami Dade College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/miami-dade-college) | Miami, FL | 45% | $40,654 | $5,463 | $9,252 | 0.23x |
| 19 | [Dallas College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/dallas-college) | Dallas, TX | 34% | $41,714 | $3,214 | $9,500 | 0.23x |
| 20 | [Tarrant County College District](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/tarrant-county-college-district) | Fort Worth, TX | 29% | $42,727 | $4,337 | $9,104 | 0.21x |
| 21 | [Lone Star College System](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lone-star-college-system) | The Woodlands, TX | 20% | $42,466 | $11,252 | $8,600 | 0.2x |
| 22 | [Florida International University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/florida-international-university) | Miami, FL | 74% | $60,249 | $9,288 | $16,500 | 0.27x |
| 23 | [University of Houston](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-houston) | Houston, TX | 65% | $62,377 | $14,276 | $18,194 | 0.29x |
| 24 | [University of South Florida](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-south-florida) | Tampa, FL | 76% | $57,743 | $9,812 | $17,988 | 0.31x |
| 25 | [Indiana University-Bloomington](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/indiana-university-bloomington) | Bloomington, IN | 81% | $63,742 | $16,264 | $19,509 | 0.31x |
| 26 | [Rutgers University-New Brunswick](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/rutgers-university-new-brunswick) | New Brunswick, NJ | 84% | $74,479 | $24,406 | $21,500 | 0.29x |
| 27 | [California State University-Fullerton](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/california-state-university-fullerton) | Fullerton, CA | 70% | $62,951 | $6,555 | $13,750 | 0.22x |
| 28 | [Houston Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/houston-community-college) | Houston, TX | 17% | $39,254 | $5,737 | $13,921 | 0.35x |
| 29 | [University of Wisconsin-Madison](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-wisconsin-madison) | Madison, WI | 89% | $73,792 | $17,354 | $20,484 | 0.28x |
| 30 | [Valencia College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/valencia-college) | Orlando, FL | 46% | $40,594 | $12,037 | $9,300 | 0.23x |
| 31 | [University of Florida](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-florida) | Gainesville, FL | 91% | $71,588 | $6,541 | $15,000 | 0.21x |
| 32 | [Texas State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/texas-state-university) | San Marcos, TX | 56% | $56,906 | $16,805 | $21,000 | 0.37x |
| 33 | [University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-illinois-urbana-champaign) | Champaign, IL | 85% | $81,054 | $14,355 | $19,500 | 0.24x |
| 34 | [San Diego State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/san-diego-state-university) | San Diego, CA | 77% | $64,909 | $15,364 | $15,000 | 0.23x |
| 35 | [University of North Texas](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-north-texas) | Denton, TX | 60% | $57,010 | $15,649 | $19,250 | 0.34x |
| 36 | [California State University-Long Beach](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/california-state-university-long-beach) | Long Beach, CA | 69% | $64,403 | $10,440 | $14,289 | 0.22x |
| 37 | [The University of Alabama](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/the-university-of-alabama) | Tuscaloosa, AL | 74% | $59,221 | $22,420 | $22,750 | 0.38x |
| 38 | [University of California-San Diego](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-california-san-diego) | La Jolla, CA | 87% | $84,943 | $12,470 | $15,500 | 0.18x |
| 39 | [University of Michigan-Ann Arbor](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-michigan-ann-arbor) | Ann Arbor, MI | 93% | $83,648 | $13,138 | $19,500 | 0.23x |
| 40 | [Brigham Young University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/brigham-young-university) | Provo, UT | 82% | $75,790 | $15,564 | $11,069 | 0.15x |
| 41 | [University of Georgia](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-georgia) | Athens, GA | 89% | $68,726 | $13,936 | $18,500 | 0.27x |
| 42 | [Texas Tech University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/texas-tech-university) | Lubbock, TX | 68% | $62,454 | $19,070 | $21,500 | 0.34x |
| 43 | [The University of Texas at Arlington](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/the-university-of-texas-at-arlington) | Arlington, TX | 55% | $63,199 | $13,951 | $17,527 | 0.28x |
| 44 | [Florida State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/florida-state-university) | Tallahassee, FL | 84% | $61,675 | $11,297 | $18,000 | 0.29x |
| 45 | [University of California-Los Angeles](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-california-los-angeles) | Los Angeles, CA | 93% | $82,511 | $12,548 | $14,000 | 0.17x |
| 46 | [Connecticut State Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/connecticut-state-community-college) | New Britain, CT | 21% | $41,344 | $11,513 | $9,200 | 0.22x |
| 47 | [Northern Virginia Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/northern-virginia-community-college) | Annandale, VA | 35% | $53,557 | $9,919 | $11,000 | 0.21x |
| 48 | [University of Colorado Boulder](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-colorado-boulder) | Boulder, CO | 75% | $69,738 | $25,346 | $19,500 | 0.28x |
| 49 | [Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/virginia-polytechnic-institute-and-state-university) | Blacksburg, VA | 86% | $81,698 | $24,953 | $21,500 | 0.26x |
| 50 | [University of California-Berkeley](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-california-berkeley) | Berkeley, CA | 93% | $92,446 | $13,481 | $13,000 | 0.14x |

## Data Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov)
- Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (https://opportunityinsights.org/data)
- Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
- Times Higher Education World University Rankings
- NCES IPEDS

## Citation

CollegeRanker. "Largest Colleges in America." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-05-31. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/largest-colleges

## License

This data summary is provided for informational purposes. Underlying data from federal sources (College Scorecard, IPEDS) is public domain. Opportunity Insights data is available under their data use agreement at https://opportunityinsights.org/data/.
