Analysis
NAICS 611310 is the 2022 national industry for colleges, universities, and professional schools, part of 61131 (Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools). Census lists 26 example activities under it in the official index.
County Business Patterns counts 3,989 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 1,862,528 people at an average annual payroll of $56,181 per employee (26th percentile of national industries). 24% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which points to larger operations.
Its index entries, the activities Census uses to assign businesses to this code, include academies, college or university, academies, military service (college), bible colleges offering baccalaureate degrees and business colleges or schools offering baccalaureate or…, among 26 in all.
Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments fell 8% and employment fell 0%. The 2018 count used NAICS 2017, so part of a large move can come from codes being redefined rather than from businesses opening or closing.
For example, furnishing academic, or academic and technical, courses and granting associate degrees, certificates, or diplomas below the baccalaureate level are classified in 611210 (Junior Colleges) instead.
Census lists 1 related activities that belong elsewhere, most often in 611210. Businesses that do several things are classified by their primary activity, the one that generates the most value, so check those boundaries before settling on this code.
Official definition
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in furnishing academic courses and granting degrees at baccalaureate or graduate levels. The requirement for admission is at least a high school diploma or equivalent general academic training. Instruction may be provided in diverse settings, such as the establishment's or client's training facilities, educational institutions, the workplace, or the home, and through diverse means, such as correspondence, television, the Internet, or other electronic and distance-learning methods. The training provided by these establishments may include the use of simulators and simulation methods.
Illustrative Examples:
Colleges (except junior colleges) Theological seminaries offering baccalaureate or graduate degrees Military academies, college-level Universities Professional schools (e.g., business administration, dental, law, medical)
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Not this code if…
| The business mainly does | Use instead |
|---|---|
| Furnishing academic, or academic and technical, courses and granting associate degrees, certificates, or diplomas below the baccalaureate level | 611210 Junior Colleges |
Index entries (26)
- Academies, college or university
- Academies, military service (college)
- Bible colleges offering baccalaureate degrees
- Business colleges or schools offering baccalaureate or graduate degrees
- Coast Guard Academy
- Colleges (except junior colleges)
- Colleges, universities, and professional schools
- Conservatories of music (colleges or universities)
- Dental schools
- Hospital management schools offering baccalaureate or graduate degrees
- Hospitality management schools offering baccalaureate or graduate degrees
- Law schools
- Medical schools
- Military academies, college-level
- Military service academies (college)
- Parochial schools, college-level
- Private colleges (except community or junior college)
- Professional schools (e.g., business administration, dental, law, medical)
- Schools, correspondence, college-level
- Schools, medical
- Schools, music (colleges or universities)
- Schools, online, college-level (through a website or mobile application)
- Schools, professional (colleges or universities)
- Seminaries, theological, offering baccalaureate or graduate degrees
- Theological seminaries offering baccalaureate or graduate degrees
- Universities