College enrolment up for second semester in a row – Report

Total college enrolment in the United States increased by 2.6% this semester compared to spring 2023, climbing to 17,752,399 students, according to The Current Term Enrollment Estimates report released on Wednesday 22 May by the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, writes Michael T Nietzel for Forbes.

As part of the best college enrolment news since the pandemic, both undergraduate and graduate enrolment posted strong gains. Undergraduate enrolment increased by 2.5%, a gain of 359,000 students, continuing a trend from last fall’s 1.2% gain after years of enrolment decline suffered during the pandemic. Although they account for only about a quarter of all postsecondary enrolment, community colleges comprised much of this spring’s enrolment growth, surging 4.7% over spring 2023.

The undergraduate increase occurred in all degree categories. Associate degree enrolment was up 4.4%. Enrolment in bachelor degree programmes reversed four straight spring semesters of losses, increasing by 2.3%. And undergraduate certificate programmes continued their strong showing, adding about 35,000 students, for an increase of 3.6%.
Full report on the Forbes site