Colleges, Universities and Professional Schools Trade Associations

American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO)

The leading professional association for registrars, admissions, and enrollment management, providing research, training, and policy guidance; membership includes about 18,000 higher education professionals at roughly 2,300 institutions.

https://www.aacrao.org Membership: 18,000

American Association of Community Colleges (AACC)

The primary national advocacy organization for the nation’s community colleges, representing more than 1,000 two‑year, associate degree‑granting institutions and their students.

https://www.aacc.nche.edu Membership: 1,000

American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU)

A network and advocacy voice for regional public universities, representing a community of approximately 350 state colleges and universities.

https://aascu.org Membership: 350

American Council on Education (ACE)

The major coordinating body for U.S. higher education—advocating public policy, convening leaders, and offering leadership development—with a membership near 1,600 colleges, universities, and related organizations.

https://www.acenet.edu Membership: 1,600

Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U)

A global membership association dedicated to advancing quality and equity in undergraduate liberal education, with more than 1,200 member institutions.

https://www.aacu.org Membership: 1,200

Association of American Universities (AAU)

An invitation‑only association of leading research universities in the United States and Canada, currently totaling 71 members, focused on research, education, and public policy.

https://www.aau.edu Membership: 71

Association of College and University Housing Officers‑International (ACUHO‑I)

The premier association for campus housing and residence life professionals; ACUHO‑I supports members with research, benchmarking, and professional development serving millions of on‑campus residents worldwide and over 17,000 professionals.

https://www.acuho-i.org Membership: 17,000

Association of College Unions International (ACUI)

A professional home for college union and student activities practitioners, offering education, networking, and resources; ACUI connects more than 5,000 professionals and students.

https://acui.org Membership: 5,000

Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB)

The trusted resource on higher education governance, serving boards, presidents, and senior leaders; AGB’s network comprises roughly 40,000 individuals across more than 2,000 institutions, systems, and foundations.

https://www.agb.org Membership: 40,000

Association of Public and Land‑grant Universities (APLU)

A North American association of public research universities, land‑grant institutions, and systems that advances student success, research, and engagement; membership includes more than 250 institutions and systems.

https://www.aplu.org Membership: 250

Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE)

The global advancement association for alumni relations, communications, fundraising, and marketing professionals—supporting 100,000+ individuals at nearly 3,000 member institutions.

https://www.case.org Membership: 100,000

Council of Independent Colleges (CIC)

A national association serving independent, nonprofit colleges and universities and affiliates, offering leadership development, research, and collaborative initiatives; membership exceeds 700.

https://www.cic.edu Membership: 700

EDUCAUSE

The leading higher education IT association, helping institutions use technology and data to advance their missions; community includes 115,000+ individuals at more than 2,100 member organizations.

https://www.educause.edu Membership: 115,000

Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU)

The only national association representing existing and emerging Hispanic‑Serving Institutions and partners, committed to Hispanic student success, with more than 500 member colleges and universities.

https://www.hacu.net Membership: 500

NAFSA: Association of International Educators

The world’s largest association dedicated to international education and exchange, serving a network of 11,000+ professionals in 170+ countries.

https://www.nafsa.org Membership: 11,000

National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC)

The professional community for college admission counseling, connecting and supporting more than 28,000 admission and counseling professionals worldwide.

https://www.nacacnet.org Membership: 28,000

National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO)

The association for chief business and finance officers in higher education, providing advocacy, guidance, and professional learning to 1,900 member institutions.

https://www.nacubo.org Membership: 1,900

National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE)

The leading association connecting college career services and early talent recruiting professionals, with a national membership of more than 17,500 individuals from nearly 3,000 organizations.

https://www.naceweb.org Membership: 17,500

National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA)

The national association for student financial aid administrators, offering training, policy analysis, and advocacy to a community of 29,000 professionals representing nearly 3,000 institutions.

https://www.nasfaa.org Membership: 29,000

University Professional and Continuing Education Association (UPCEA)

The association for professional, continuing, and online education leaders at colleges and universities, with a community of about 14,000 individuals and 400+ member institutions.

https://upcea.edu Membership: 14,000