College enrollment stays strong despite recession

While many Americans are facing the realities of a sub-par economy by reducing their reliance on certain expenses, a recent report suggests college enrollment is something Americans have continued to pay for.

According to the report, which was released by IU’s Project on Academic Success and the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, private four-year institutions are faring better than expected, while community colleges have actually seen increased enrollment.

Public four-year universities saw hardly any change at all during the recession that lasted from 2007 to 2009.

In a press release, Don Hossler, professor of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at the IU School of Education and executive director of research at the NSC Research Center, said widespread economic stresses have caused many in higher education to become concerned.

Even now, two years after the recession officially ended, unemployment remains high, state budgets are continuing to shrink and families are still under financial strain, he
said.

This summer, tuition increased for public universities across the country and unemployment rose to 9.2 percent.

“Yet the findings in this report suggest that many institutions — perhaps through adapted enrollment management, recruitment and financial aid strategies — appear to have weathered these tough years better than anticipated,” Hossler said.

The report also suggests the increase in enrollment at community colleges may even not be solely related to the costs, though that is still a prominent factor.

Public university enrollment  reaching capacity in many states could also be
a factor.

A greater number of students may have chosen community colleges and private institutions as these public four-year universities did not have room for them at
the time.

The report recommends focusing on making transferring easier for the increasing number of community college students who may be taking advantage of the less expensive two-year colleges, while still ultimately working toward a four-year
degree.

“This report provides evidence to help institutions gauge their own trends during this economic situation,” said Vasti Torres, director of IU’s Project on Academic Success.
“It also confirmed the enrollment trends felt by community colleges over the past couple of years.”