U.S. college enrollment increased in fall, surpassing prepandemic levels, according to new figures. Total enrollment across undergraduate and graduate programs reached 19.4 million students, reflecting a 1.0% growth compared to the previous fall.
Matthew Holsapple, senior director of research at the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, stated that higher education has stabilized and is expanding. However, this growth is uneven.
Enrollment rose at four-year public universities and community colleges, with short-term workforce credentials showing a 28% increase from a year prior. Conversely, enrollment at private four-year colleges and for master's degrees declined.
Students are reportedly shifting towards shorter-term, flexible, and career-oriented educational pathways.
Courtney Brown, who studies public opinion on colleges for the Lumina Foundation, indicated that public confidence in college is returning but remains conditional on factors like cost, flexibility, and career relevance. Jeff Strohl, director of the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, suggested that economic uncertainty often prompts individuals to enroll in college, especially community colleges.
While international student enrollment in undergraduate programs grew by 3.2%, a notable drop of approximately 10,000 international graduate students occurred, primarily in master's programs. This decline followed several years of strong growth and is attributed to federal policies impacting student visas and reduced federal funding for research universities.
Additionally, there was a significant decline in students pursuing computer and information sciences majors in both graduate and undergraduate programs, after years of consistent expansion. This shift is influenced by factors such as fewer international students and perceived changes in the tech job market, including layoffs and the rise of artificial intelligence.