Size & Setting Classification Description

The Size and Setting Classification describes institutions' size (student population) and residential character. Because residential character applies to the undergraduate student body, exclusively graduate institutions are not included. For the full definition and methodology, please see below.

See the Full Definition

See the Methodology

The categories are as follows:

Two-year

• Very small

Fall enrollment data indicate FTE* enrollment of fewer than 500 students at these associate's degree granting institutions.

• Small

Fall enrollment data indicate FTE* enrollment of 500–1,999 students at these associate's degree granting institutions.

• Medium

Fall enrollment data indicate FTE* enrollment of 2,000–4,999 students at these associate's degree granting institutions.

• Large

Fall enrollment data indicate FTE* enrollment of 5,000–9,999 students at these associate's degree granting institutions.

• Very large

Fall enrollment data indicate FTE* enrollment of at least 10,000 students at these associate's degree granting institutions.

Four-year

• Very small

• Primarily nonresidential

Fall enrollment data indicate FTE* enrollment of fewer than 1,000 degree-seeking students at these bachelor's or higher degree granting institutions. Fewer than 25 % of degree-seeking undergraduates live on campus** and/or fewer than 50 % attend full time (includes exclusively distance education institutions).

• Primarily residential

Fall enrollment data indicate FTE* enrollment of fewer than 1,000 degree-seeking students at these bachelor's or higher degree granting institutions. 25-49 % of degree-seeking undergraduates live on campus** and at least 50 % attend full time.

• Highly residential

Fall enrollment data indicate FTE* enrollment of fewer than 1,000 degree-seeking students at these bachelor's or higher degree granting institutions. At least half of degree-seeking undergraduates live on campus** and at least 80 % attend full time.

• Small

• Primarily nonresidential

Fall enrollment data indicate FTE* enrollment of 1,000–2,999 degree-seeking students at these bachelor's or higher degree granting institutions. Fewer than 25 % of degree-seeking undergraduates live on campus** and/or fewer than 50 % attend full time (includes exclusively distance education institutions).

• Primarily residential

Fall enrollment data indicate FTE* enrollment of 1,000–2,999 degree-seeking students at these bachelor's or higher degree granting institutions. 25-49 % of degree-seeking undergraduates live on campus** and at least 50 % attend full time.

• Highly residential

Fall enrollment data indicate FTE* enrollment of 1,000–2,999 degree-seeking students at these bachelor's or higher degree granting institutions. At least half of degree-seeking undergraduates live on campus** and at least 80 % attend full time.

• Medium

• Primarily nonresidential

Fall enrollment data indicate FTE* enrollment of 3,000–9,999 degree-seeking students at these bachelor's or higher degree granting institutions. Fewer than 25 % of degree-seeking undergraduates live on campus** and/or fewer than 50 % attend full time (includes exclusively distance education institutions).

• Primarily residential

Fall enrollment data indicate FTE* enrollment of 3,000–9,999 degree-seeking students at these bachelor's or higher degree granting institutions. 25-49 % of degree-seeking undergraduates live on campus** and at least 50 % attend full time.

• Highly residential

Fall enrollment data indicate FTE* enrollment of 3,000–9,999 degree-seeking students at these bachelor's or higher degree granting institutions. At least half of degree-seeking undergraduates live on campus** and at least 80 % attend full time.

• Large

• Primarily nonresidential

Fall enrollment data indicate FTE* enrollment of at least 10,000 degree-seeking students at these bachelor's or higher degree granting institutions. Fewer than 25 % of degree-seeking undergraduates live on campus** and/or fewer than 50 % attend full time (includes exclusively distance education institutions).

• Primarily residential

Fall enrollment data indicate FTE* enrollment of at least 10,000 degree-seeking students at these bachelor's or higher degree granting institutions. 25-49 % of degree-seeking undergraduates live on campus** and at least 50 % attend full time.

• Highly residential

Fall enrollment data indicate FTE* enrollment of at least 10,000 degree-seeking students at these bachelor's or higher degree granting institutions. At least half of degree-seeking undergraduates live on campus** and at least 80 % attend full time.

Exclusively graduate/professional

Fall enrollment data indicate that there are no undergraduates enrolled at these institutions. All enrolled students are in graduate-level programs.

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*FTE: Full-time equivalent enrollment was calculated as full-time plus one-third part-time.

**On campus is defined as institutionally-owned, -controlled, or -affiliated housing.

Classifications are time-specific snapshots of institutional attributes and behavior based on 2019-20 data.