The Decline of College Enrollment: A National Trend Among Diverse Student Populations.
College enrollment continues to decline as students question the value of a four-year degree, with over 1 million fewer students enrolled in college three years after the Covid pandemic. Rising costs and large student loan balances are causing more young adults to reconsider their plans after high school, with concerns over the value of a four-year degree. However, research shows that earning a degree is almost always worthwhile, with bachelor's degree holders generally earning 75% more than those with just a high school diploma. Trade school students are also more likely to be employed after school than their degree-seeking counterparts.