A new report says enrollment at community colleges is stabilizing.
The National Student Clearinghouse Research Center found fall enrollment at community colleges across the U.S. is essential flat. It declined by a fractional percentage, which is a big improvement from the losses that were being observed during, and immediately after the height of COVID-19.
But it’s not all good news.
“Although the decline has slowed and there are some bright spots, a path back to pre-pandemic enrollment levels is growing further out of reach,” Doug Shapiro, executive director for the Center said.
Enrollment fell even more at four year institutions. Declines at universities was 1.6%.
A recent study found that fears of college cost and debt were the lead drivers of this decline. Around 38% of students didn’t enroll because of those factors in the last two years.
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