Dive Brief:

• The smallest group of college applicants in years means many colleges are working harder to attract students.
• A recent survey of colleges found that 76% of schools were moderately or very concerned about meeting their enrollment goals.
• Colleges in New England and the Midwest, where populations have dropped more than in other areas, are particularly affected by the smaller applicant pool.

Dive Insight:

The article points largely to demographics as the reason for a smaller applicant pool, but an improving economy also has a role. With the number of applicants shrinking and colleges often having to sweeten aid deals for students, attracting international students who pay sticker-price tuition is becoming even more important.