In 2021, a number of 123,880 students were enrolled in Albanian universities, of which 94,487 (76%) were students studying in public higher education institutions and the rest, 29,393 students, in non-public higher education institutions.



Source: INSTAT
Comments and Analyses: Open Data Albania

Whereas, on the same year, there were 32,690 students that graduated, 24,402 (75%) of which in public HEIs and 8,288 (25%) in non-public HEIs.



Source: INSTAT
Comments and Analyses: Open Data Albania

Overall, enrollments in Higher and University Education Institutions have declined throughout 2021, compared to 2016. Public Institutions have enrolled 19% fewer students in 2021. Meanwhile, non-public Institutions and Universities have undergone an increase in the number of enrollments for 2021, by 20%. In total, for Higher University Education, enrollments in the 2016 – 2021 time frame have decreased by 12%.



Table: Number of students enrolled in public and private universities during 2016-2021
Source: INSTAT
Comments and Analyses: Open Data Albania



Source: INSTAT
Comments and Analyses: Open Data Albania

In 2016, those enrolled in public higher education accounted for 83% of the total number of students, whereas, in 2021, they accounted only for 76%, thus bringing an increase in the share of non-public education institutions in the country.



Table: Share of students enrolled in public and private universities during 2016-2021
Source: INSTAT
Comments and Analyses: Open Data Albania

The same trend holds for the number of graduates, in 2021, compared to 2017, 12% less graduated from Public Higher Education. For the same period, graduates in non-public Higher Education Institutions and Universities have increased by 10%. 



Table: Number of students graduating from public and private universities during 2017-2021
Source: INSTAT
Comments and Analyses: Open Data Albania



Source: INSTAT
Comments and Analyses: Open Data Albania

The University of Tirana presents the highest number of students enrolled in 2021, with 24% (23,140 students) of the total number of registered students.

“Aleksandër Moisiu” University in Durrës follows closely, in terms of the number of registered students, with 21% (19,654 students) of the total enrollments. The Polytechnic University ranks third, with 15,285 students (16%).



Table: Students enrolled in public universities, 2021
Source: INSTAT
Comments and Analyses: Open Data Albania



Source: INSTAT
Comments and Analyses: Open Data Albania

Regarding the number of graduates for 2021, the University of Tirana ranks first as well, with 8,229 students or 34% of the total number of graduates, in public higher education institutions. “Aleksandër Xhuvani” Elbasan University follows with 2,552 (10%) graduated students. Regarding the number of registrations at the university, “Aleksandër Xhuvani” University was ranked fourth.

The third with the highest number of graduates in 2021 is “Aleksandër Moisiu” Durrës University, with 2,349 (10%) graduates.



Table: Students graduating from public universities, 2021
Source: INSTAT
Comments and Analyses: Open Data Albania



Source: INSTAT
Comments and Analyses: Open Data Albania

The University “Luigj Gurakuqi” in Shkodër, marks a drop of -53% in graduations in 2021, compared to 2016. The Agricultural University of Tirana has -48% less enrolled students, followed by the University “Aleksandër Xhuvani” in Elbasan with -33%.

Enrollments have increased at “Ismail Qemali” University in Vlorë, “Aleksandër Moisiu” University in Durrës with a 123% increase, the Sports University with a 15% increase, the Polytechnic University with a 7% increase, and the Tirana University of Arts with a 2% increase.



Table: Students Enrolled in Public Universities, progress during 2016 – 2021
Source: INSTAT
Comments and Analyses: Open Data Albania



Source: INSTAT
Comments and Analyses: Open Data Albania



Source: INSTAT
Comments and Analyses: Open Data Albania

An analysis based on the number of graduates shows that “Fan S. Noli” University in Korçë is producing more graduates than before. Also, the University of Arts, the University of Sports and the “Aleksandër Moisiu” University in Durrës have produced more graduates in 2021, compared to 2016.

On the other hand, the universities that scored fewer graduates are “Ismail Qemali” University in Vlorë (-32%), “Aleksandër Xhuvani” University in Elbasan (-32%) and the University of Tirana (-19%).



Table: Graduates in Public Universities, progress during 2017 – 2021
Source: INSTAT
Comments and Analyses: Open Data Albania



Source: INSTAT
Comments and Analyses: Open Data Albania



Source: INSTAT
Comments and Analyses: Open Data Albania

The “Albanian University” institution has the largest number of students in non-public universities for 2021, specifically 3,849 students, or 13% of the total number of students in non-public institutions. Ranked next, with 12% (3,500) of students enrolled is the European University of Tirana, and in third place is the Mediterranean University of Albania with 11%, about 3,089.



Source: INSTAT
Comments and Analyses: Open Data Albania

The same trend is observed in the number of graduates. 18% of graduates from non-public HEIs in 2021 graduated from the private institution Albanian University, 14% from the Mediterranean University of Albania and 13% from EUT.



Source: INSTAT
Comments and Analyses: Open Data Albania

The number of registered students has decreased in the following higher education institutions: Albanian University (-45%); Professional College of Tirana (-21%); Logos University College (-19%); UET (-17%); Bedër University College (-15%); and NEW YORK University, Tirana (-2%)



Table:Progress in the number of students enrolled in non-public universities, 2016-2021
Source: INSTAT
Comments and Analyses: Open Data Albania



Source: INSTAT
Comments and Analyses: Open Data Albania



Table:Progress in the number of students graduating in non-public universities, 2016-2021
Source: INSTAT
Comments and Analyses: Open Data Albania



Source: INSTAT
Comments and Analyses: Open Data Albania

The shrinking in the number of students in the country apparently affects public or state universities, while the private market of universities displays an increase in the number of student enrollments.

Download excel: Enrollment and graduation in public and private universities, from 2016 to 2021
Comments and Analyses: Open Data Albania
Contributed by: Ilir Brasha
Translated by: Rezarta Cushaj