After a decade of decline and a pandemic dip, college enrollment is leveling off

Interesting slide shows about the world Slideshow World by [ArcaMax](?ezine=782&r=cYtEFOaTVFTWfqdx4P7m6yLNoMJcVUdrReA7q-zJs1ZDOjMyNzAwODM2NDpKOjIxNjc2MDk6TDo3ODI6Ujo4ODI2NzQ6Vjo1NA) [After a decade of decline and a pandemic dip, college enrollment is leveling off]( Lauren Liebhaber [ After a decade of decline and a pandemic dip, college enrollment is leveling off ]( [See full slideshow »]( Where did all the college kids go? Many high school graduates opted to join the workforce in recent years instead of taking college classes. Others enrolled in trade programs. Many planned to enroll after a pandemic gap year but have yet to do so. For decades, programs such as federal student aid, affirmative action, the GI Bill, and cultural attitudes around feminism led to a steady increase in college enrollment in the United States—particularly among populations for whom college was not attainable due to financial constraints or societal barriers. And then that growth stopped. EDsmart cited data from theNational Center for Education Statistics to look at current and projected college enrollment figures, contextualizing the decline. Some experts believe declining college enrollment is primarily an economic concern as people weigh the value of a college education against the often long-term financial burden of student debt. More education isn't always the key to more money. A 2021 study from Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce found that 16% of high school graduates and more than one-quarter of associate's degree holders earn more than half of workers with a bachelor's degree. Enrollment in trade programs such as construction, HVAC, and automotive repair is growing in tandem with industry demand for skilled workers. Even for unskilled workers, job availability coupled with significant earnings increasesfor low-wage workers is appealing to young people deciding between enrolling in college and joining the workforce. The pandemic is another culprit of more recent falling enrollment figures. Just 2% of students who delayed enrollment during the pandemic in 2020 eventually enrolled in 2021, according to data from the National Student Clearinghouse. More than 1 million fewer students were enrolled in 2021 than in the fall semester before the pandemic began. College enrollment has declined for more than a decade, following several decades of consistent growth. A stagnating population in the wake of the Great Recession, while not yet a factor in college enrollment, could also rear its head in several years as graduating high school classes get smaller. Visit thestacker.com for similar lists and stories. [Tweet It]( - [Facebook It]( Sponsor [ Binge Celebrity Gossip! ] Binge Celebrity Gossip! Get the most interesting celebrity news daily with the new Binge Gossip newsletter. You'll be the first to read about the most interesting events from the personal lives of the rich and famous. [Subscribe Now Instantly]( -- From the ArcaMax editors More Slideshow World from ArcaMax.com - [How much employees actually pay for health care plans]( - [15 major interior design trends for 2023]( - [The truth about car rental insurance: Do you really need it?]( [Click To Unsubscribe]( | [Customer Service]( | [Privacy Policy]( | [California / Nevada Privacy Info]( 1706 Todds Lane, Box 311, Hampton, VA 23666 Copyright © 2022 ArcaMax Publishing [Facebook]( [Twitter](/ArcaMax)