Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools — Market Size & Saturation
There are 13,551 colleges, universities, and professional schools establishments in the United States — that's 4.1 businesses per 100,000 people.
Is Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools Oversaturated?
With only 4.1 businesses per 100,000 people, the colleges, universities, and professional schools market has relatively low saturation. Just 13,551 establishments serve the entire US market.
Low saturation can indicate an opportunity — either the market is underserved, or there are high barriers to entry (capital requirements, licensing, specialized skills). If demand exists and you can clear the entry barriers, competition will be limited. However, verify that low saturation isn't due to declining demand.
Competition Dynamics
Entry and exit rates reveal how actively the competitive landscape is changing.
More businesses are closing (10.7%) than opening (4.2%) — the market is consolidating. Remaining players may benefit from reduced competition.
Should You Enter This Market?
Here's a summary of the competitive picture for colleges, universities, and professional schools:
Market Size
13,551 establishments
Density
4.1 per 100K people
Avg Revenue/Business
$64.9M/year
Competition Level
Low Competition
Low competition suggests opportunity — if you can clear entry barriers and validate demand in your local market, you'll face fewer rivals.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many colleges, universities, and professional schools businesses are in the US?
- There are 13,551 colleges, universities, and professional schools establishments in the United States (2,335 unique firms). This translates to approximately 4.1 businesses per 100,000 people nationwide.
- Is the colleges, universities, and professional schools market oversaturated?
- With only 4.1 businesses per 100K people, the colleges, universities, and professional schools market has low saturation and may present opportunities for new entrants.
Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics QCEW (2023), U.S. Census Bureau Business Dynamics Statistics. Population: 331,449,281 (2020 Census).