Enrollment
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College closures could increase sharply in the face of the demographic cliff
A new model for predicting financial failures from the Philadelphia Fed aimed to produce the most accurate forecasting to date of at-risk colleges.
By Ben Unglesbee • Dec. 5, 2024 -
No letup in financial pressure on colleges in 2025, Fitch says
A declining body of first-year students, uncertain international enrollment and high costs are weighing on many institutions, the ratings agency said.
By Ben Unglesbee • Dec. 4, 2024 -
Trendline
Community Colleges
The nation’s community colleges look to innovative programs and funding models as they work to boost enrollment and stay financially afloat in the changing higher education world.
By Higher Ed Dive staff -
How Brown University plans to maintain a diverse student body
The Ivy League institution will create six new positions and increase community outreach following the ban on race-conscious admissions.
By Laura Spitalniak • Dec. 4, 2024 -
How equitable is funding for public colleges?
Colleges with low shares of students of color receive the highest levels of funding, research finds.
By Ben Unglesbee • Dec. 4, 2024 -
Deep Dive
Why more colleges are seeking Hispanic-serving institution status
The coveted designation unlocks federal grants and signals a commitment to underrepresented students, though institutions face challenges getting there.
By Danielle McLean • Dec. 2, 2024 -
Will the FAFSA cycle be smoother this year?
Financial aid experts recently expressed optimism that this year’s release of the financial aid form would be less chaotic than the last.
By Danielle McLean • Nov. 25, 2024 -
As Anderson University struggles with deficits, Fitch’s outlook turns negative
The Indiana-based nonprofit has tried to pad budget gaps with asset sales and other moves.
By Ben Unglesbee • Nov. 21, 2024 -
Education Department officially launches 2025-26 FAFSA
Agency officials struck an optimistic tone about the release of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
By Natalie Schwartz • Nov. 21, 2024 -
Drexel University to cut 60 staffers
More than 150 additional employees have accepted buyout offers from the private Philadelphia institution.
By Ben Unglesbee • Nov. 21, 2024 -
Fall 2024 enrollment trends in 3 charts
Preliminary data from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center found enrollment patterns that exemplify broader trends in higher education.
By Laura Spitalniak • Nov. 20, 2024 -
Fitch raises outlook for New Jersey City University
After facing a steep fiscal hole in 2022, the institution has made painful cuts under state supervision to stabilize its finances.
By Ben Unglesbee • Nov. 18, 2024 -
Tennessee State stayed afloat thanks to a $43M injection from the state. What comes next?
The public institution faces a fiscal crisis after past years of mismanagement and a history of underfunding from Tennessee.
By Ben Unglesbee • Nov. 18, 2024 -
SUNY fall enrollment ticks up 2.3%, marking second straight year of gains
The growth follows recent funding increases and new initiatives aiming to lower barriers to enrollment for students.
By Natalie Schwartz • Nov. 15, 2024 -
Massachusetts free community college program boosted adult enrollment, research finds
The Hildreth Institute said MassReconnect largely accounted for a 12% year-over-year enrollment increase in students ages 25 and older.
By Laura Spitalniak • Nov. 14, 2024 -
Enrollment in Georgia public university system spikes nearly 6%
The network’s enrollment increases for the fall semester were twice those seen at the national level.
By Ben Unglesbee • Nov. 13, 2024 -
New Jersey initiative brings back over 8,600 stopped-out students
The state touted the results of its initiative to reach students who left college before completing their credentials and announced a new research project.
By Natalie Schwartz • Nov. 13, 2024 -
Christian Brothers University says its poised to come off accreditor probation
Facing a multi-million deficit, the private Catholic institution declared exigency and made major cuts. Now it says it’s on track to bank a surplus.
By Ben Unglesbee • Nov. 12, 2024 -
Opinion
How one Pennsylvania college navigated the turbulent FAFSA season
Colleges can avoid a repeat of last cycle's challenges through consistent communication and creativity, a Widener University official said.
By Joseph Howard • Nov. 12, 2024 -
Grand Canyon CEO expects a friendlier Education Department under Trump
After years of clashes with the Biden administration, Brian Mueller predicts "we're going to have a voice."
By Ben Unglesbee • Nov. 7, 2024 -
California State University pilots direct admissions program
The 461,000-student system will inform certain public high school students in Riverside County that they’ve been automatically accepted to 10 campuses.
By Natalie Schwartz • Nov. 5, 2024 -
Webster University to close its military campuses
A decade ago, the nonprofit based in Missouri had over 40 locations on bases. Now, it is shuttering its last nine.
By Ben Unglesbee • Nov. 1, 2024 -
Deep Dive
What preliminary enrollment data from fall 2024 tells us
Higher education experts broke down some trends in the early data and what may have prompted the decline in first-year students.
By Laura Spitalniak • Oct. 31, 2024 -
Applications spike for MBAs in 2024-25, study says
The Graduate Management Admission Council found students were particularly interested in programs “with longer legacies at business schools.”
By Laura Spitalniak • Oct. 28, 2024 -
Vanderbilt University gets approval for $520M Florida graduate campus
The Tennessee university's expansion into West Palm Beach would bring billions in resources to the area, it said.
By Ben Unglesbee • Oct. 23, 2024 -
Net tuition ticks up 2% at private colleges, declines at public institutions
The College Board found the price students pay after aid is still well below pre-pandemic levels even as sticker prices rise.
By Ben Unglesbee • Oct. 23, 2024