The Chronicle of Higher Education
July 01, 2021 Enrollment Management Trends, Student Success
Last fall, male undergraduate enrollment fell by nearly 7 percent, almost three times as much as female enrollment. The steepest decline and largest gender gap was found among students of color attending community colleges. Declines in Asian male enrollment were smaller compared to Black and Hispanic men, but still about eight times compared to Asian women. Increased pressure and gender norms also play a role in these disparities. Colleges are adding male-specific majors, mentoring, and advising programs in an effort to increase male enrollment.
Higher Ed. Dive
July 08, 2021 Enrollment Management Trends, Student Success
According to a new report from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, first-year persistence rates dropped to 73.9% in fall 2020, with community colleges seeing the largest decline, followed by private and public four-year colleges. Racial and ethnic disparities continued – 87% of Asian students persisted into their second year, compared to around two-thirds of Black and Latinx students. Additionally, retention rates fell by 0.7% and the downward trend continued in the spring. Colleges are hopeful that in-person classes will increase enrollment; however, high school seniors have mixed feelings.
The Chronicle of Higher Education
June 10, 2021 Enrollment Management Trends, Student Success
New data from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center shows a total undergraduate college enrollment decline of 3.5%, a shortfall of 603,000 students. The decline was sharper in traditional-aged college students, and male student enrollment continued to fall more than female enrollment (5.5% vs. 2%). Enrollment fell in almost every undergraduate major except certain majors such as psychology (+4.8%) and computer and information science (+3%).
Higher Ed. Dive
May 05, 2021 Enrollment Management Trends, Student Success
Federal agencies have extended and clarified flexible policies for international students attending U.S. colleges during the 2021-2022 academic year, as well as eased some travel restrictions. This decision will allow students and schools to better plan for the upcoming academic year, but visa processing backlogs could be a potential hurdle.
Inside Higher Ed.
March 29, 2021 Admissions, Enrollment Management Trends, Student Success
The pandemic has led to a surge in applications at the most competitive colleges, both public and private. New applications include minority and low-income applications, and many top college also admitted large early decision/early-action classes. As a result, predicting yield will likely be more difficult this year, and institutions will likely rely on waiting lists more than they normally do.
Higher Ed. Dive
March 25, 2021 Student Success, Value and Affordability
Higher education interest groups and institutional leaders have lobbied the federal government to increase the size of the Pell Grant for years, with renewed urgency due to the COVID-19 pandemic. President Biden said on the campaign trail that he wants to double the Pell Grant, and with the passage of the latest relief package, his administration can now focus on other matters.
The Chronicle of Higher Education
March 11, 2021 Enrollment Management Trends, Student Success, Value and Affordability
The article features a series of graphics that highlight the financial and socio-emotional costs the COVID-19 pandemic has imposed on the higher education industry.
The Chronicle of Higher Education
March 09, 2021 Admissions, Enrollment Management Trends, Student Success, Value and Affordability
This opinion article describes the unique issues enrollment management leaders are experiencing with regard to predicting enrollment and yield for fall 2021. (Subscription required)
Higher Ed. Dive
February 19, 2021 Student Success, Value and Affordability
The government spending package passed at the end of 2020 included several provisions intended to extend federal financial support to more college students. Financial aid changes include simplifying the FAFSA, expanding eligibility for Pell grants, rebranding the EFC (expected family contribution), and bringing more predictability overall to financial aid awards.
Inside Higher Ed.
January 26, 2021 Enrollment Management Trends, Student Success, Value and Affordability
The Common Application is the most widely used college application, with more than 900 institutions participating. Newly released data shows that larger and more competitive colleges are receiving many applications, but smaller and less competitive colleges are not. Additionally, first-generation and fee waiver students are not applying at the same rates as they used to, with application numbers declining by three and two percentage points, respectively.