Are fewer students applying to college?

Fewer and fewer young people are enrolling in college after graduating high school. However, while many have presented this decline as tantamount to a national emergency, declining college attendance rates may actually be a good thing.

Are fewer people going to college now?

College enrollment among young Americans has been declining gradually over the past decade. In 2022, the total number of 18- to 24-year-olds enrolled in college was down by approximately 1.2 million from its peak in 2011.

Are less students applying to college?

Today, fewer people are going to college than in recent years. In 2021, 15.4 million students were enrolled in an undergraduate degree program. That's the lowest fall enrollment since 2006. The NSCRC estimates that even fewer undergraduates were enrolled in spring 2023, just 14.1 million students.

Are college applications increasing or decreasing?

A preliminary report points to a surprisingly large increase in the number of students applying to college for the upcoming 2024-25 academic year. The new data come from a recent Common App Research Brief, covering applications to four-year institutions for next year received through November 1, 2023.

Why are college admissions so low?

This means that the plummeting of acceptance rates are more likely due to the increase in number of applicants with more diverse qualifications than a sharp increase in selectivity. Additionally, seismic social and political shifts have played a role in the changing college admissions landscape.

Why fewer students are enrolling in college

Is it getting harder to get into college?

The first thing to acknowledge is that the hype and anxiety are not unfounded: it is, in fact, much more difficult to get into college than it was a generation ago. The number of college applicants has risen sharply, especially over the past ten years, and this trend does not appear to be letting up any time soon.

Why are colleges getting so hard to get into?

According to the Common Application, which facilitates applications for 1,000 universities, total application volume rose from 5.4 million in 2019 to 7 million in 2022 — a 30% jump. Because class sizes have been static, acceptance rates are plummeting.

What is going on with college admissions?

Admissions 'Earthquake' Tremors

The shadow looming large over both 2023 and 2024 is the Supreme Court's ruling against race-conscious admissions. The full implications of the decision—from its impact on bridge programs and scholarships to the future of diversity in higher education—remain murky.

Are more kids applying to college?

Low-income students are also applying in greater numbers. Applicants from lower-income ZIP codes increased 14% year over year while those from higher-income areas ticked up 5%. Colleges are seeing more applications from international students, up 19% during the 2023-24 year, Common App found.

Are more people applying to college now?

It also is an increase of more than 70,000 applicants over last year at this same time. Total applications (which counts the multiple applications made by most students) increased by 30%, from 5,434,484 in 2019-2020 to 7,057,980 in the current cycle.

Who is less likely to go to college?

Men are less likely to enroll in college than women and have been for the last two decades, according to the Pew Research Center. Only 36% of men ages 25-34 surveyed in 2021 had a college degree, compared to 46% of women. Area college enrollment numbers follow this trend.

Is there such a thing as applying to too many colleges?

The College Board recommends that high school seniors narrow down their application list to five to eight schools. It's okay to stray a little outside this range, but as a general rule of thumb you should aim to reach those numbers because sending more than ten applications can have drastic consequences.

Do employers care about where you went to college?

There's a reason you're required to put the name of the college you attended on your resume and job application. Despite what you may read to the contrary, most employers do care about where you went to school for your degree. Fortunately for many, that's not all they're concerned with, though.

Why are more people not going to college?

And 26% said it was more important for them to get a job and make money. Meanwhile, 27% said college was too stressful or too much pressure, and 25% said they were unsure about their majors or future careers. Asked why they might get a degree, respondents overwhelmingly focused on career outcomes.

Why some students are skipping college?

The rising costs of higher education and fears of student debt are among the reasons more young people are choosing not to attend college. Instead, they are working. Many believe it is the right decision for them.

Is it worth going to college nowadays?

College graduates still enjoy higher earnings than the average U.S. worker. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that in 2022, bachelor's degree holders took home a median wage of $1,432 per week, while workers with just a high school diploma earned only $853. That's a difference of 68%.

Why are colleges getting so many applications?

Here are two of the major reasons for the increased competitiveness in college admissions: There are more students, and many of these students are applying to more schools. Many of today's college applicants are part of what's referred to as the “Echo Boom” – kids of Baby Boomers and beyond.

How many parents expect their kids to go to college?

9 in 10 parents want their children to go to college

We asked respondents with children under the age of 18 whether they would want their child to attend college or not. Of this group, 91% say they 'definitely' (54%) or 'probably' (37%) want their child to go to college.

What percentage of college applicants get accepted?

The average college acceptance rate in the United States is 68%, with more than half of all U.S. colleges and universities reporting rates of 67% or higher.

Why are college admissions so competitive this year?

With competition increasing, not only due to the quantity of applications but also with the quality of students applying, coveted spots fill up fast causing students to strategize their approach to the application process.

What are the trends in college admissions in 2024?

Test Score Submission is Declining

According to the Common Application's January 2024 report, just 4% of its member colleges required test scores in the 2023-2024 application season, down from 5% in 2021-2022 and down from 55% in 2019-2020.

Will 2024 admissions be easier?

2024 promises to be a year of continued complexity in college admissions, but preparing for the journey ahead can make the process organized, personal, and sometimes even fun.

Why are so many colleges rejecting me?

Poor fit and lack of demonstrated interest are among the common reasons college applications are rejected. Given the volume of college applications each year, admissions officers have tough decisions to make when it comes to filling limited seats.

What if I get rejected from every college?

Being rejected from every college you apply to doesn't reflect on you as a person, and you still have the potential to get a great education. We all face challenges in life, but the key is how we respond to them. Weigh your options, stay positive, and trust that everything will work out okay in the end!

Why are college acceptance rates so low this year?

In the era of big data, college admissions offices have increasingly smart and sophisticated ways to predict their yield. As they get better at identifying genuinely interested candidates, they will need to admit fewer students, and admission rates will continue to fall.