What are the 5 largest universities in the US?
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The five largest universities in the United States can be ranked by total student enrollment (including online and on-campus students). Enrollment numbers vary slightly by academic year, but the following universities consistently rank among the largest:
| Rank | University | Approximate Enrollment | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Western Governors University | 150,000+ | Utah (primarily online) |
| 2 | Southern New Hampshire University | 180,000+ (mostly online) | New Hampshire |
| 3 | Arizona State University | 180,000+ (online + campus) | Arizona |
| 4 | Liberty University | 140,000+ | Virginia |
| 5 | University of Central Florida | 68,000–70,000 | Orlando, Florida |
Highlights
- Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) has one of the largest student populations in the U.S., with the vast majority studying online.
- Arizona State University (ASU) is widely recognized as the largest public university by total enrollment, combining in-person and online students.
- Western Governors University (WGU) is a fully online, nonprofit university serving students nationwide.
- Liberty University enrolls tens of thousands of online learners in addition to its residential campus.
- University of Central Florida (UCF) is one of the largest traditional campus-based universities in the United States.
Largest Traditional Public Universities (On-Campus Focus)
If you're interested mainly in large physical campuses rather than online enrollment, these universities are among the biggest:
- Texas A&M University – 79,000+ students
- University of Central Florida – 68,000+ students
- Ohio State University – 67,000+ students
- Arizona State University – 65,000+ on-campus students (plus a large online population)
- University of Florida – 60,000+ students
These figures are approximate and may change slightly each academic year as universities update their enrollment statistics.