Enrollment

Students less likely to attend college if they didn't think their families could pay

About a third of 11th graders indicated their families couldn't afford to send them to college. They ended up enrolling in much lower numbers.

By Rick Seltzer • Jan. 14, 2022

Colleges enrolled 1M fewer undergrads in fall 2021 than before the pandemic

Enrollment was 6.6% lower this fall than it was two years earlier, according to final figures from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.

By Natalie Schwartz • Jan. 13, 2022

Explore the Trendline➔

International Students

A look at trends in international enrollment — and what the numbers mean for U.S. colleges and universities.

By Higher Ed Dive staff

Iowa regents vote to no longer require SAT or ACT scores from applicants

The state board of regents unanimously approved the admissions policy change, setting up another success for the national test-optional movement.

By Laura Spitalniak • Jan. 12, 2022

Top-ranked colleges illegally conspire to limit financial aid offers, lawsuit alleges

Five former students say 16 selective colleges violated antitrust laws, artificially raising the price of attendance and favoring wealthy students.

By Natalie Schwartz • Jan. 10, 2022

Disruptions in hands-on programs contributed to enrollment drop at community colleges

Course upheaval in male-dominated fields is linked to enrollment declines, an NBER working paper found.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • Jan. 10, 2022

Strategies for recruiting first-generation college students

The competition between colleges and universities looking to attract first-generation students is fierce. So what strategies should you use to attract them?

Jan. 10, 2022

New York's governor shares ambitious new vision for SUNY

The plan calls for boosting enrollment to 500,000 students but could pit newly designated flagships against others in the 64-campus system.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • Jan. 6, 2022

How can colleges convince admitted students to enroll?

Schools must use resources effectively and avoid expensive, personalized approaches for students who are unlikely to commit, a new EAB report says.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • Jan. 4, 2022

7 higher education trends to watch in 2022

Politics bleeding into college operations, new regulatory action, continued expansion of online ed and more are stories we'll be following in 2022.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • Jan. 4, 2022

Arizona scholarship to start covering tuition for low-income students attending 4-year universities

The promise program is meant to boost college enrollment in a state where just 17% of current 9th graders are on pace to have four-year degrees by 2029.

By Laura Spitalniak • Updated Dec. 23, 2021

Harvard's extension of test-optional admissions signals policy is here to stay

The university will not require entrance exams for four more years, and U of Kansas is offering new admissions pathways without the tests.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • Dec. 17, 2021

Stable outlooks issued for higher ed as inflation undercuts revenue increases

Moody's Investors Service projects operating revenue rising by 4% to 6% in 2022, but labor shortages and inflation are likely to drive up spending.

By Rick Seltzer • Dec. 14, 2021

Northeast Ohio colleges aim to tackle 'stranded credits' in a bid to reenroll students

A regional partnership forged by a consulting and research group comes with high hopes for duplication elsewhere.

By Laura Spitalniak • Dec. 14, 2021

The ABA allowed the GRE for law school admissions. Will it improve diversity?

A contentious battle over alternatives to the LSAT had law schools waiting for more clarity.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • Dec. 10, 2021

Hoped-for gap year enrollment boom turns out to be a bust

Report dashes hopes that members of the high school class of 2020 who didn't immediately go to college would enroll this fall.

By Natalie Schwartz • Dec. 3, 2021

42% of stopped-out young adults cited financial reasons for leaving college, survey finds

The longer former students stay away, the less likely they are to return to college.

By Laura Spitalniak • Dec. 2, 2021

Share of Common App colleges requiring admissions tests continues to plummet

Data through mid-November also suggests a rebound from declining application numbers earlier in the pandemic.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • Nov. 29, 2021

Why one college is pledging to pay half of its students' loans

Cornell College officials are hoping a promise to pay up to $12,000 of debt for 65 graduates will help them stay in school.

By Natalie Schwartz • Nov. 22, 2021

Update shows undergraduate enrollment decline growing to 3.5% this fall

Declines were particularly steep at community colleges and for-profit institutions.

By Natalie Schwartz • Nov. 18, 2021

5 charts breaking down the decline in international enrollment

We analyzed annual figures from the Open Doors report on international educational exchange to understand trends playing out in the sector.

By Natalie Schwartz • Nov. 15, 2021

International enrollment fell 15% last academic year — but signs point to a rebound ahead

The annual Open Doors report paints a dismal picture for higher ed, but surveyed institutions say new international enrollment increased 68% this fall.

By Natalie Schwartz • Nov. 15, 2021

University of Austin shared a worldview, but does it have a business plan?

Startup liberal arts university says it aims to recenter education on the pursuit of truth. Experts will watch whether it can be financially sustainable.

By Rick Seltzer • Nov. 9, 2021

South Carolina governor uses federal relief funding for tuition-free technical college

Gov. Henry McMaster set aside $17 million for the program and urged the state legislature to invest $124 million more to maintain it through June 2024.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • Nov. 8, 2021

Navigating the online college search process

Students need guidance throughout the admissions process - omnichannel communications can help.

Nov. 8, 2021

California community college enrollment slid 15% in 2020-21, new data shows

The figure represents a decline of about 319,000 students, with particularly sharp decreases among African Americans, Native Americans and men.

By Natalie Schwartz • Nov. 4, 2021