Undergraduate losses slow — but enrollment is still well below pre-COVID levels

Younger enrollees helped boost community colleges’ student bodies in spring 2023, according to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.

By Laura Spitalniak • May 24, 2023

About 75% of students want to attend college — but far fewer expect to actually go

A survey from nonprofit YouthTruth also revealed these gaps worsen for certain groups, like Indigenous and Pacific Islander students.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • May 22, 2023

Explore the 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

Medaille University to close amid falling enrollment and layoffs

The university's board voted to cease operations following a failed merger attempt with Trocaire College.

By Laura Spitalniak • May 15, 2023

Transfer applications mostly come from wealthy areas, Common App finds

Over four years, only 6% of transfer applicants lived in zip codes with a median household income in the lowest bracket.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • May 9, 2023

Virginia Republicans request higher ed, DEI spending study on public colleges

Two top House lawmakers cited anecdotal reports of growing numbers of noninstructional staff specializing in diversity, equity and inclusion.

By Laura Spitalniak • May 9, 2023

Education Department guidance could harm colleges that rely on OPMs, Moody’s says

Analysts said colleges like Arkansas State University that heavily depend on these vendors would face greater administrative burdens and expenses. 

By Natalie Schwartz • May 4, 2023

Adtalem revenue grows 1.3% despite Walden University’s falling enrollment

The for-profit operator has been downsizing its offices and reducing its workforce, resulting in $17.7 million in restructuring costs so far for fiscal 2023. 

By Natalie Schwartz • May 3, 2023

Grand Canyon University’s online enrollment tops 86,000 students, reversing declines

The enrollment growth helped boost the bottom line of the Christian institution’s educational services provider, Grand Canyon Education.

By Natalie Schwartz • May 3, 2023

Almost 300 colleges still have open seats for fall 2023

Admissions group NACAC has published an annual database of open slots after the May 1 decision deadline.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • May 3, 2023

College closures hurt students’ odds of returning to higher ed, earning a credential

Officials should minimize transfer interruptions for students at shuttered institutions and offer additional supports, SHEEO reports.

By Laura Spitalniak • April 28, 2023

More students are stopping out but fewer are reenrolling

Students who stopped out recently are among those most likely to reenroll and succeed, the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center reports.

By Laura Spitalniak • April 25, 2023

Private colleges’ tuition discount rates continue to hit record highs

Over 90% of first-time undergraduates reported to NACUBO that they received grant aid in the 2022-23 academic year.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • April 24, 2023

Enrollment declines threaten the economic futures of college towns

For many U.S. communities, the long-term viability of colleges and universities is critical. Cities and towns can start preparing, experts say.

By Danielle McLean • April 24, 2023

Two New York institutions permanently shift to test-optional admissions

SUNY and Vassar College each announced this week that they will keep the COVID-era change going forward.

By Laura Spitalniak • April 14, 2023

Cannibalism as a way to increase enrollment

Colleges try to boost enrollment by recruiting students from other institutions, but it’s a declining pool, Ricardo Azziz argues.

By Ricardo Azziz • April 7, 2023

Medaille to become part of Trocaire, with both colleges citing enrollment issues

The private nonprofit institutions in New York are set to finalize the merger July 31, pending regulatory approvals.

By Laura Spitalniak • April 7, 2023

International applicants using the Common App increased by over a third

The biggest numbers came from China and India in the 2021-22 academic year, the organization reported.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • April 3, 2023

College applicants still aren’t submitting SAT, ACT scores at pre-pandemic levels

Only 4% of Common App’s member institutions required test scores for 2022-23, according to new data from the organization.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • March 30, 2023

Community college enrollments show uptick in spring 2023

First-year and dual enrollment students drove increases, according to preliminary data from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.

By Laura Spitalniak • March 29, 2023

Calbright doubles enrollment in a year, passes 2,000 student mark

But after the online California community college’s rocky launch, the latest milestone left critics unimpressed.

By Laura Spitalniak • March 21, 2023

5 charts breaking down demographic trends in college transfer enrollment

National Student Clearinghouse Research Center data shows mostly across-the-board declines — though there are hints of recovery.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • March 16, 2023

Upward transfer enrollment plummeted 14.5% since pandemic began

However, new National Student Clearinghouse Research Center data shows other types of transfers are on the rise.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • March 9, 2023

Performance-based funding linked to higher SAT scores in bottom quarter

Moderately selective colleges also saw enrollment declines among racial minorities the more they relied on the funding model, new research shows.

By Laura Spitalniak • March 8, 2023

Nondegree providers face high costs, challenges standing out in a crowded space, report finds

Researchers studied Coursera, Udemy and 2U to gain a better understanding of the nondegree market as a whole.

By Laura Spitalniak • March 3, 2023

Columbia University becomes first Ivy League institution to go permanently test-optional

The university said applicants will not be disadvantaged if they do not submit SAT or ACT scores.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • March 2, 2023