College enrollment declined this fall. According to a survey from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, undergraduate populations shrank by 4% overall, and first-year student counts fell by 16.1%. Young males are the most likely to be staying out of school: men enrolled in undergraduate programs fell by 6.4% compared to a 2.2% drop among women. Meanwhile, community colleges were hit the hardest, with overall enrollments dropping 9.4% compared to 1.4% at four-year public colleges and universities. YPulse’s data shows that 17% of college students decided not to participate in the semester or year because of COVID, and many students’ plans are also in flux for the spring. (WSJ, Forbes)
