Enrollment

In a year without admissions tests, elite college applications balloon

More than 100,000 students applied to NYU this year. But experts say such schools are outliers and other data shows a more complex landscape.

By Hallie Busta • Jan. 14, 2021

U of California groups recommend Smarter Balanced test to replace SAT, ACT

Officials were mulling whether the system could create a new entrance exam by 2025.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • Jan. 13, 2021

Explore the Trendline➔

Trendline

Enrollment and Retention

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

By Higher Ed Dive staff

New York Gov. Cuomo pitches priority college admission for nurses

The proposal comes as the U.S. healthcare system grapples with nursing shortages while battling the pandemic.

By Natalie Schwartz • Jan. 11, 2021

Does an accreditation sanction hurt colleges' enrollment?

A recent study of SACSCOC schools found a correlation, but its author says more research is needed to determine the root causes.

By Hallie Busta • Jan. 07, 2021

College transfer student enrollment dropped 8.1% this fall

Online schools made inroads with stopped-out students despite widespread declines, final data from the National Student Clearinghouse shows.

By Natalie Schwartz • Dec. 21, 2020

Colleges enrolled nearly 500,000 fewer students this fall

Final figures from the National Student Clearinghouse also break down the losses by major.

By Hallie Busta • Dec. 17, 2020

Southern New Hampshire sets annual tuition at $10K and $15K for in-person degrees

The university teased the change earlier this year as a way to make college more affordable in the pandemic's wake.

By Natalie Schwartz • Dec. 16, 2020

Declines in high school graduates may not be as bad as expected: report

Rising graduation rates among students of color are partly driving the trend, though it's unclear how the pandemic will affect projections.

By Natalie Schwartz • Dec. 15, 2020

CEO group stresses skills over degrees in hiring

A new initiative could see companies changing how they recruit employees and providing training to help workers rise in the ranks.

By Natalie Schwartz • Dec. 11, 2020

Far fewer recent high school graduates enrolled in college this fall: report

The decreases were most significant among students from low-income schools, according to preliminary Clearinghouse data.

By Hallie Busta • UPDATED: Dec. 10, 2020 at 12:30 p.m.

How colleges are reenrolling stopped-out students during the pandemic

Early data shows enrollment declining among students who previously left college with no credential, but some schools are making inroads.

By Natalie Schwartz • Nov. 23, 2020

New programs aren't paying off for all colleges: report

Nearly a third of programs whose first students graduated in 2013 or 2014 had no graduates in 2018, a new report finds.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • Nov. 23, 2020

Number of international students in US declines for first time in over a decade

A separate survey found the number of new foreign students plummeted this fall, though a significant number of deferrals offers hope.

By Natalie Schwartz • UPDATED: Nov. 16, 2020 at 9:55 a.m.

Graduate enrollment growth is speeding up — for now

Fall enrollment projections show more students are heading to graduate programs this year. But experts predict the trend will be short-lived.

By Hallie Busta • Nov. 16, 2020

Enrollment still down with three-quarters of colleges reporting

For-profits' numbers turned negative while online colleges continue to thrive in the latest Clearinghouse data release.

By Hallie Busta • Nov. 12, 2020

7 charts that give a snapshot of college enrollment this fall

Fewer students headed to college, but the trend and its impact vary. We've updated this post with new data on transfer enrollment.

By Hallie Busta • UPDATED: Dec. 23, 2020 at 10:23 a.m.

Transfers from 2-year public schools to 4-year colleges rose 2.6% this fall, report finds

All other forms of transfer declined, however, creating further enrollment challenges for community colleges.

By Natalie Schwartz • Oct. 27, 2020

Pandemic has shaken colleges' future enrollment prospects: survey

More than half of school officials NACAC polled expect significant trouble finding applicants beyond this fall.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • Oct. 19, 2020

Financial aid officials share how they're advising college students now

We asked administrators how they are guiding students and families through a process made more complex by COVID-19.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • Oct. 15, 2020

College enrollment declines deepen

New national data shows significant decreases among first-year students this fall, as well as other areas where counts are down.

By Hallie Busta • Oct. 15, 2020

How 2- and 4-year colleges can boost spring enrollment

Fall numbers appear dismal. Higher education experts offer several tips to improve student headcount for the next term.

By Natalie Schwartz • Oct. 14, 2020

Enrollment fell at more than half of colleges this fall: survey

The American Council on Education's latest poll of college presidents indicates where cuts are expected.

By Hallie Busta • Oct. 09, 2020

How liberal arts colleges are making international students feel welcome

Schools that depend on foreign learners are getting creative as the pandemic foils travel and the Trump administration raises visa barriers.

By Natalie Schwartz • Sept. 28, 2020

How can community colleges weather enrollment declines?

Public two-year colleges had the biggest drop in students this fall across the sector, contradicting some early projections students would flock there.

By Natalie Schwartz • Sept. 24, 2020

Noodle Partners teams with for-profit college operator to launch tuition benefit platform

WorkforceEdge intends to make it easier for companies to offer educational benefits to their workers and track their progress.

By Natalie Schwartz • UPDATED: Sept. 21, 2020 at 10:09 a.m.