Declining College Enrollment: The ROI Dilemma
College enrollment in the United States has been declining, with freshman enrollment dropping 3.6% this fall, particularly in bachelor's programs at public and private four-year institutions. Completion rates have also stalled, with only about 62% of students who started college in 2017 graduating. Rising college costs and student debt have led more students to question the return on investment of a college education. Financial obstacles, including program costs and the need to work, have caused low-income students to opt out. While President Biden's plan to forgive student debt has been blocked, there are other programs in place to help reduce payments and eventually forgive loans.