Fewer 18-year-olds are enrolling, especially at four-year schools. But the number of applications continues to grow

Summary

College enrollment among 18-year-old freshmen fell 5% this fall, with declines most severe at public and private non-profit four-year colleges.

Experts attribute the drop to factors including declining birth rates, high tuition costs, FAFSA delays, and uncertainty over student loan relief after Supreme Court rulings against forgiveness plans.

Economic pressures, such as the need to work, also deter students.

Despite declining enrollment, applications have risen, particularly among low- and middle-income students, underscoring interest in higher education. Experts urge addressing affordability and accessibility to reverse this trend.

  • @Duamerthrax
    3•3 days ago

    How much do those extra classes cost and why is it the responsibility of the a job certificate program to have those? Those extra classes could be taken at your leisure after you have a job.

    Good luck trying to discuss politics with an engineer.

    I have never had a problem finding a stem major with political opinions. Most far more radical then what you’d be comfortable.

    • @asdfasdfasdf
      1•3 days ago

      Basically everything is connected in many ways. To be a great cook you need to learn math, history, science, biology, etc.

      There are plenty of institutions which allow you to only take courses relevant to your degree, but they are trade schools.