2024 Demographics

Member Institutions by Country | Member Institutions by US Region & State | Age | Gender | Ethnicity | Areas of Responsibility | Member Institutions by Size | Member Institutions by Control & Type

Member institutions by Country

AACRAO has a long history of documenting, training, and developing best practices in foreign education, admissions, and records. The growing number of international students and scholars led to the desire for more understanding and guidance on documentation, validation, and recognition. Membership is available for individuals or institutions outside the U.S., and helps AACRAO extend its global reach.

We are the premier provider of professional development, training, and current research on foreign educational systems, including AACRAO's Electronic Database for Global Education (EDGE).

AACRAO is committed to the professional development of international staff and continues to foster connection and engagement worldwide.

Hover over or zoom in on the interactive map below to see individual countries.

Member institutions by U.S. Census region & state

AACRAO and the state and regional associations (ACRAOs) share the same basic goals of enhancing the profession and the development of the individual members. One of the fundamental strengths of our profession is the vitality of strong, active state and regional associations.

Members by state

In December of 2023, the Board of Directors approved a new membership structure designed to be more equitable and inclusive, ensuring that institutions of all sizes and individuals of all titles could benefit from AACRAO's resources. Our membership has grown tremendously from this change. With open enrollment, we have added over 7,000 new members to the community.

18,000 members | 2,300 institutions | 40 countries | One association

Hover over or zoom in on the interactive map below to see individual states.

Distribution of members by age

AACRAO findings align with the 2019 CUPA-HR report "The Challenges of an Aging Higher Ed Workforce". Higher ed staff are already older than the U.S. workforce as a whole, with over half of all staff at colleges and universities being 45 and older, compared to a quarter under the age of 35. Older workers are often not recognized for their high performance and contributions, and end up taking years of experience and knowledge with them when they retire.

AACRAO awards Honorary membership to our long-term, most active members, and offers Retired membership to those no longer employed full-time in an AACRAO profession. For anyone nearing or at the end of their professional careers who still wants to stay engaged, AACRAO has several ways for them to continue supporting the higher ed community with their expertise. Learn how you can acknowledge a retiring colleague or give your peers the recognition now by nominating them for an AACRAO award.

distribution of members by gender

AACRAO is committed to inclusivity, where all are valued and heard, and respect is expected and achieved. AACRAO realizes this through creating and sustaining relationships based on equity, respect, collaboration, and community where all can thrive. Learn more about AACRAO's Vision, Mission, and Goals. Keep up with the latest issues affecting higher education and how AACRAO is advocating for its members.

distribution of members by ethnicity

*Excluding Not Reporting and Prefer not to specify

Almost 70% of AACRAO members did not report on ethnicity or race, but the data from those who do report shows that AACRAO members are a diverse group. However, a report on "Race and Ethnicity in Higher Education" from the American Council on Education noted that faculty diversity has not kept pace with student diversity. The importance of staff and faculty diversity has been the subject of many trend reports because it not only benefits students, but also the institution and community as a whole.

AACRAO Caucuses are national networking and identity-based affinity groups intended to promote belonging and visibility in the professional field of Higher Education. Members can join more than one Caucus and meet with their peers monthly during Caucus Gatherings and stay connected in the Exchange online community forum.

areas of member responsibility

Number of areas assigned

In their institutions, AACRAO members are assigned duties that reach almost every aspect of the university. As evident from the chart above, many members have duties that fall into several categories. While a majority identified their role or duties as records and registration management, AACRAO offers professional development resources for all of these areas as part of its mission to advance and support critical professions integral to institutional and learner success. New to your role or want to enhance the skills you already have? View a list of short and long-term training courses for your specific development needs.

Get involved and help AACRAO expand its scope by sharing your unique expertise. You can present a session at a meeting or write for AACRAO publications.

distribution of institutions by size

distribution of members by institution size

 AACRAO institutional members fall into one of six size codes based on a combination of their part-time and full-time enrollment. Most of AACRAO's institutional members are in the smallest two size codes, which include schools with fewer than 2,500 students. The data captured from members over the years contributed to the decision to calculate member dues based on total institutional expenditure, rather than enrollment size, to ensure unlimited and equitable access relative to an institution's reported expenses.

Regardless of the size of your institution, AACRAO gives all members opportunities to vote on association affairs and make their voices heard. Learn more about AACRAO's other membership types and their benefits.

distribution of institutions by control

*Membership types included: Affiliate, Institutional, International Institution

Control refers to whether an institution is operated by publicly elected or appointed officials or by privately elected or appointed officials and derives its major source of funds from private sources. Funding sources significantly influence the resources available at both private and public colleges. And while governmental regulations on higher education can vary depending on the current administration, direct changes to those regulations can have serious and lasting impacts on the industry. AACRAO Transcript provides members with timely court, industry, and international news as well as the latest developments in the areas of federal relations and compliance.

distribution of institutions by classification

The Institutional Classification is a descriptive tool that organizes the landscape of American colleges and universities into groupings of similar types of institutions. Historically, the Basic Classification organized most institutions primarily by academic program concentration or the highest degree awarded. The Carnegie Classifications are the nation’s leading framework for categorizing and describing colleges and universities in the United States. Utilized frequently by policymakers, funders, and researchers, the Classifications are a critical benchmarking tool for postsecondary institutions. In 2023, the Carnegie Foundation announced changes in how colleges and universities are grouped and recognized, to be released in early 2025.