Enrollment

  • ECU sign on campus
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    East Carolina University eyes $25M in cuts

    The three-year savings goal would be met through permanent cuts, academic program changes and operational restructuring, the public institution said.

    By • Sept. 5, 2025
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    The image by Garden Sprite is licensed under CC BY 1.0
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    Ohio University to cut 11 academic programs to comply with new law

    A sweeping higher education law enacted this year requires the state’s public colleges to end undergraduate programs that award low numbers of degrees.

    By • Aug. 27, 2025
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    Trendline

    Enrollment and Retention

    A look at the pandemic's continuing impact on enrollment and how colleges can ensure students stay on course.

    By Higher Ed Dive staff
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    Retrieved from Albright College on January 22, 2025
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    Albright College declares ‘remarkable’ turnaround as it borrows $15M from endowment

    The private institution said it’s on track for a $10 million budget surplus after recent cuts and cash concerns.

    By • Aug. 27, 2025
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    RiverNorthPhotography via Getty Images
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    Students for Fair Admissions drops lawsuits against West Point, Air Force Academy

    The anti-affirmative action group has found an ally in the Trump administration, which barred race-conscious admissions in the nation’s military academies. 

    By • Aug. 12, 2025
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    JHVEPhoto via Getty Images
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    University of Utah board moves to cut 81 academic programs

    The planned eliminations are in response to a new state law ordering public colleges to cut certain academic offerings and invest in high-demand fields. 

    By • Aug. 7, 2025
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    sanjeri via Getty Images
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    150K fewer international students this fall? That’s what one analysis predicts.

    A sharp drop in foreign enrollment could cost colleges $7 billion in revenue and 60,000 jobs, according to NAFSA: Association of International Educators.

    By • Aug. 1, 2025
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    Prostock-Studio via Getty Images
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    Tennessee launches direct admissions pilot with student aid component

    The initiative aims to ease the path to higher education by providing financial aid information along with automatic acceptance to participating colleges.

    By • July 23, 2025
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    Boogich via Getty Images
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    Moody’s: Trump’s tough international student policies could hit some colleges hard

    Visa processing slowdowns and travel bans could mean lost revenue, tighter margins and financial stress.

    By • July 11, 2025
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    FatCamera via Getty Images
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    3 charts that tell the story of spring 2025 enrollment

    Recent data from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center showed which cohorts are driving the sector's slow-moving recovery from the pandemic.

    By • July 7, 2025
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    Adobe / Xavier Lorenzo

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    Sponsored by Constant Contact

    Building a strong campus community: strategies for engagement and belonging

    Learn how creating a strong campus community boosts enrollment, engagement and retention.

    June 30, 2025
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    Jacob Wackerhausen via Getty Images
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    Persistence and retention rates hit some of their highest levels in nearly a decade

    Over 86% of first-year students returned to college in the spring, according to the latest data from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.

    By • June 26, 2025
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    The image by afunkydamsel is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0
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    Columbia College Chicago lays off 20 faculty members

    The cuts come as the private nonprofit attempts to “invest in areas that correspond to strong student demand,” one official told the campus community.

    By • June 23, 2025
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    Laura Spitalniak/Higher Ed Dive
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    Tennessee State raises tuition 6% amid budget stabilization effort

    Even with the tuition hike, the public historically Black institution faces a nearly $39 million shortfall.

    By • June 16, 2025
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    Courtesy of Guilford College
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    North Carolina’s Guilford College scrambles for cash to keep its accreditation

    Amid enrollment declines, the historically Quaker institution has until December to show its accreditor a balanced budget for the 2026 fiscal year.

    By • June 12, 2025
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    Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
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    Week in Review: Deep program cuts proposed at the Education Department

    We’re rounding up last week’s news, from possible reductions to Pell Grants and other programs to the continued consolidation of colleges.

    By • June 9, 2025
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    Jacob Wackerhausen via Getty Images
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    Spring enrollment rises 3.2%, with community colleges leading the way

    Every type of higher ed institution and most U.S. states saw headcount gains, new data from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center found.

    By • May 22, 2025
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    Stephen Maturen via Getty Images
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    Minnesota college leaders eye tuition hikes as costs rise and state funding flatlines

    Most are weighing an increase of 8%, but one Minnesota State official said even that would not bridge the public system's anticipated budget gap.

    By • April 18, 2025
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    The image by Stephen Matthew Milligan is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
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    Limestone University needs $6M to avoid shutdown or going online-only

    The South Carolina nonprofit has been drawing down its endowment while it grapples with lower enrollment and higher costs.

    By • April 17, 2025
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    Georgia Southern and East Georgia State merger gets green light from system board

    The move, part of a nearly 15-year effort to streamline the University System of Georgia, would bring USG’s institution count to 25.

    By • April 17, 2025
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    The image by Rivers Langley; SaveRivers is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
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    Talladega College lands $15M loan as it cleans up its finances

    Less than a year ago, the Alabama historically Black college struggled to make its payroll. Now it’s on stronger footing after making cuts, leaders say.

    By • April 10, 2025
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    Courtesy of Sonoma State University
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    Sonoma State turnaround plan calls for boosting enrollment 20%

    Following a slew of cuts earlier this year, the institution is now looking to make investments in programs and career pathways.

    By • April 8, 2025
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    Pexels / George Pak

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    Sponsored by Mighty Citizen

    Avoid these 3 things to ensure accepted students choose you

    Getting admitted students to enroll isn’t just about how tech-savvy you are—it’s about making them feel like they are ready to join your university’s community.

    By Whitney Larimer • April 7, 2025
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    "University of New Orleans Gate Plaque" by Result02 is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
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    University of New Orleans should rejoin LSU system, state board says

    The public institution has been deteriorating financially since Hurricane Katrina hit the city two decades ago.

    By • March 28, 2025
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    skynesher via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    ‘You can’t create 18-year-olds’: What can colleges do amid demographic upheaval?

    Raising retention and attendance rates, and accommodating diverse student bodies, could take on new importance as the traditional-age pipeline weakens.

    By • March 27, 2025
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    Gender gaps in certain STEM majors are widening — but not everywhere

    Growing divides in physics and other fields at less selective colleges may be troubling for institutions hoping to graduate students into high-paying careers. 

    By Lilah Burke • March 19, 2025