According to the most recently released data by the National Student Clearinhouse, overall post-secondary enrollments dropped by more than 1% for the third straight year in America. The fall of 2014 saw an overall 1.5% decrease at public sector institutions. The private sector managed to halt the steep declines of past years, losing only .4% this fall. Private nonprofits recorded the only positive numbers this year, with an increase of 1.6%, although this growth was concentrated primarily at the largest institutions.
Students over the age of 24 had the strongest decline, particularly at community colleges, which is at least partially due to improving job opportunities. The lower numbers this year are about more than just a better workforce climate though. According to Doug Shapiro, Executive Research Director of the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, “We're also seeing fewer high school graduates in June reducing the class of new traditional age college students in September. That's why we now have fewer full-time and fewer part-time students alike.”
Estimates of student enrollment in the upcoming spring semester will be released in May. For more information on this data or to read the full report, visit: http://nscresearchcenter.org/