1895 U.S. Postsecondary Enrollment

There were a wide variety of educational institutions operating in the late 19th century to meet societal needs and student interests.   Institutions from five sectors served 263,450 students in 1895.

Sector:	Students	%
Business and Commercial Schools	75,604	29%
Normal Schools	44,538	17%
Colleges and Universities	73,159	28%
Schools of Technology	10,001	4%
Professional Schools	60,148	23%

The business and commercial school sector was the largest with 29% of enrolled students.  Within the sector, one-half were enrolled in commercial courses.

Programs at Business and Commercial Schools:	Students	%
Commercial Course	37,929	50%
Amanuensis Course	23,142	31%
English Course	13,324	18%
Telegraphy Course	1,209	2%

Twenty-three percent or 60,148 of the students were enrolled in professional programs.

Professional Schools:	Students	%
Medicine	24,377	41%
Law	10,449	17%
Theology	8,173	14%
Denistry	6,460	11%
Pharmacy	3,426	6%
Nursing	7,263	12%

The Report of the Commissioner of Education for the year 1896-97, Vol. II.  Washington:  Government Printing Office, 1898 serves as the source for data.  The photo of the Telegraphy Department of Albany Business College is from the Early Office Museum.