The Chronicle of Higher Education
February 14, 2023 Admissions, Enrollment Management Trends
Of the roughly 2,600 colleges and universities analyzed by the Chronicle, more than 45 percent witnessed a drop by 10 percent or more in the enrollment of first-time, degree seeking students.
Public institutions generally had the most trouble recovering the following year, especially at the community college level. On the other hand, doctoral-granting and special-focus two-year intuitions were the most likely to recoup their losses in 2021.
Higher Ed. Dive
February 07, 2023 Admissions, Enrollment Management Trends
The COVID-19 pandemic limited students’ access to the testing centers where the SAT or ACT was administered, prompting many higher education institutions to make entrance exam score submission optional. In January, the Division I Council, one of the NCAA’s governing bodies, voted to end standardized testing requirements for athletes at the association’s annual meeting. Division II representatives followed suit, while Division III institutions set their own eligibility standards. Supporters of test-optional admissions argue that the tests position underprivileged applicants who cannot afford extensive tutoring at a disadvantage compared to wealthier peers.
Higher Ed. Dive
February 02, 2023 Admissions, Enrollment Management Trends
Undergraduate enrollment decreased only 0.6% in the fall 2022, the smallest drop since the pandemic, according to National Student Clearinghouse Research Center data. Conversely, graduate student enrollment began to decline after two years of constant growth during the pandemic. Enrollment trends varied by region, with a notable decline in undergraduate enrollments in the Midwest and Northeast, while graduate enrollments rose by 1.3% in the Northeast. Across institution types, four-year for-profits saw the most significant increase in first-year student enrollment in fall 2022, at 6.9%, followed by community colleges, which saw a 6.1% increase.
The Chronicle of Higher Education
January 25, 2023 Admissions, Enrollment Management Trends
As student applicant numbers from China plummeted by nearly 25% from the pandemic, two of the leading countries for international applicants are currently coming from West Africa. Nigeria and Ghana seem to be only behind China and India – the leading source of international students for decades now, suggests the latest data from Common App. Lack of capacity in local universities is driving African students to study abroad, and as of 2023, applicants from Nigeria and Ghana have at least tripled and quadrupled, respectively, from the 2019-20 admission cycle.
Higher Ed. Dive
January 12, 2023 Enrollment Management Trends, Research
Recent research found that universities underuse the data that is available to them, often because of poor communication among departments. Research institutions have access to both academic administrative and research data sets but often lack a centralized repository for all of the information. Investing in the systems and people required to derive the most value possible from data can support transparent governance, promote equal opportunity among employees and students, and save universities money in the long run.
Higher Ed. Dive
December 15, 2022 Enrollment Management Trends, Value and Affordability
College operating costs jumped 5.2% in the 2022 fiscal year. This is the highest rate of inflation since 2001, when it hit 6%. It is also the first year in almost a decade that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) exceeded the Higher Education Price Index (HEPI).
Inside Higher Ed
December 05, 2022 Pre-College Outreach, Enrollment Management Trends
Eleven law schools have announced they will not continue to participate in U.S. News & World Report institutional rankings. Thus far, undergraduate institutions have not followed suit, and U.S. News does not plan to abandon its rankings system.
Higher Ed. Dive
November 15, 2022 Admissions, Enrollment Management Trends
At least 1,835 four-year colleges in the US are test-optional for fall 2023. Of those, 85 are fully test-free. 1,450 colleges have made test-optional and test-free admissions permanent. Test-optional policies continue to be studied for their effects on admissions.
Inside Higher Ed
November 14, 2022 Admissions, Enrollment Management Trends
Most international enrollment recovered from a steep decline during the pandemic. The total number of international students enrolled at U.S. institutions increased by 4 percent in 2021-22 and an additional 9 percent this fall.
Inside Higher Ed
November 11, 2022 Enrollment Management Trends, Value and Affordability
The U.S. Education Department will move forward with parts of the FAFSA Simplification Act next fall, which will require colleges and universities to update their total cost of attendance calculation. Guidance has been provided to institutions to calculate the new figures.