College Enrollment Declines in the Wake of COVID-19

Colleges and universities across the U.S. have seen significant enrollment declines in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to new data released by the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.

Incoming freshmen account for nearly 70 percent of the undergraduate enrollment losses this fall, according to the data, while community colleges are reporting enrollment drops approximately nine times higher than their pre-pandemic rate.

Mikyung Ryu, research publications director for the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, joins us to discuss those and other trends, and their implications for both colleges and students as we look toward 2021 and beyond.

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[aslau]

Great video, interview, and analysis. The decline in community college enrollment is disappointing since I see them as a safety net for all enabled college student that could not commit to a 4-year university currently due to financial or familial obligations. I expect there should be a shakeout at many private universities in upcoming years since the Millennials are passing through their college years and the Gen Z population being a much smaller group there will be less demand for colleges.

[zwatwashdc]

How can it be a surprise that freshman delayed enrollment during a massive pandemic hysteria?