9 different fraternities lay claim to being largest

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The number of chapters in a fraternity will vary widely. Some groups have chosen to remain a more modest size while others have sought much greater numbers. Reviewing the histories of fraternities, many have had very aggressive periods of growth followed by years of consolidation and little expansion, as policies and leadership changed. While numbers are by no means an indication of the quality or character of an organization, the claim of being largest is a fact usually well publicized by a fraternity. Nine different groups could claim that title at some time during the past nearly two hundred years that our fraternity system has existed.

Alpha Delta Phi was the first fraternity to expand rapidly to additional institutions. Within five years of its founding it had already chartered eight chapters and, in 1837, was the largest of the seven existing fraternities. Its arch-rival, Psi Upsilon, also aggressively planted chapters and, from 1843 until 1851, it was largest. Alpha Delta Phi reclaimed the lead for one year but was surpassed by Delta Kappa Epsilon in 1852 with 15 chapters.

Beta Theta Pi was the first fraternity founded outside the northeast and it had an aggresive expansion policy from its very beginning. By 1873 its 32 chapters ended Delta Kappa Epsilon's twenty year rein as the largest fraternity. Beta Theta Pi's major rival, Phi Delta Theta, was also establishing chapters at a fast pace. In 1882, with 43 chapters, it became the largest and held that distinction until 1905.

Kappa Sigma and Sigma Alpha Epsilon were founded in the south, but both quickly expanded into all areas of the country. Kappa Sigma reached 73 chapters by 1905 and, for more than a decade, held the title as largest. Its rival, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, took the lead in 1917 with 84 chapters. Kappa Sigma regained the title in 1925 and reached a peak of 109 chapters. The Great Depression caused the loss of many fratenrity chapters and in 1934 Sigma Alpha Epsilon once again became the largest and remained so until after World War II.

Lambda Chi Alpha is one of the younger fraternities but, in 1939, absorbed Theta Kappa Nu and brought its chapter numbers to one of the largest. With a very aggresive expansion policy following World War II it became the largest fraternity in 1946 with 115 chapters. Shortly thereafter, Tau Kappa Epsilon undertook an expansion program more extensive than had ever been conducted by any fraternity, adding a dozen or more chapters each year. Its 158 chapters in 1959 took over the lead as largest. Reaching a peak in excess of 300 during the early 1970s, Tau Kappa Epsilon has maintained the title as largest fraternity in number of chapters since that time.