Has college enrollment declined dramatically since the coronavirus pandemic began?
College enrollment for undergraduate education decreased by 4% as of October 2020 compared to the previous academic year, according to National Student Clearinghouse, an education research organization.
Freshman enrollment took the biggest hit, declining about 16% nationwide and almost 23% at community colleges. But generally speaking, enrollment at community colleges declined more than at other institutions (9.4%.) Public four-year institutions declined by 1.4% and private non-profit institutions declined by 2%. Enrollment at for-profit private schools has increased slightly.
But according to a report from EducationData.org, college enrollment numbers were trending downwards before the outbreak of the coronavirus. Enrollment has declined 1.67% on average every year since 2010, when enrollment was at a historic high.
