College Enrollment Drops at ‘Concerning’ Rate: Experts Point to Rising Cost, Affordability Worries
New data from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center has revealed a 5% drop in enrollment of 18-year-old freshmen for the fall semester, prompting concern among experts. The decline is most pronounced at public and private, non-profit four-year colleges, with a 6.2% drop in enrollment, and 46 states have seen an average decline of nearly 7%.
One expert, Julie J. Park, an education professor at the University of Maryland, attributes the drop to a “national conversation about a potential ‘enrollment cliff'”. However, she notes that factors other than the enrollment cliff may be contributing to the decline, including the increasing cost of higher education and problems with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
FAFSA changes made by the US Department of Education in an effort to simplify the application process backfired, causing technical issues and delays that left students without clear information about the kind of financial aid package they might be entitled to or how much college would cost. Additionally, a Supreme Court ruling against the Joe Biden administration’s student loan forgiveness plan has caused concerns about the affordability of college.
The cost of higher education is the top barrier to enrolling in higher education for adults without a college degree, with many citing the need to work and the high cost of tuition as reasons why they cannot pursue further education.
Despite the decline in enrollment, Jenny Rickard, CEO of Common App, notes that there has been a continued growth in college applications, with a 7% increase in applicants to four-year colleges for the 2023-24 application cycle. This increase is particularly notable in applications from low- and middle-income backgrounds, with a 12% rise in applicants from these backgrounds.
Rickard emphasizes the importance of addressing affordability and accessibility concerns to support students who are eager to pursue a four-year degree, despite the challenges they may face.