A nationwide survey of college enrollment revealed yesterday that 7.8 percent fewer students registered this year than in 1950.

Conducted by the U.S. Office of Education, the survey shows that while 2,296,592 had enrolled last year, the nation's 1,806 colleges now have 2,116,440 students. The male freshman class was hardest hit with a decline of 12.3 percent. On the whole, however, the class of 1955 dropped 8.7 percent throughout the nation.

At the College, the overall registration shows a decrease of only 3.5 percent, with almost 160 fewer undergraduates enrolling this year. On the other hand, the Class of '55 has undergone a greater drop, with 4.7 percent, or more than 50 fewer Yardlings registering in 1951 than in 1950.

Registration of male students dropped 10.8 percent, while the number of female students decreased by only 1.3 percent. This decline, however, was less Dr. Earl J. McGrath, Commissioner of Education, said that "The Korean crisis has taken its toll of potential college students," but not quite as great a toll as had been expected in the spring.

The Commissioner feels that the July, 1951 cut-off date for entering courses of study under the "G.I. Bill of Rights" was an important factor in the decreased registration. Veteran's enrollment fell 32.1 percent.

The Commission also listed the institutions with the largest enrollments. Ivy-group Columbia University was fourth in the nation with 27,278 men, while New York University was tops with over 45,000 students enrolled.