Dr. Bernard J. Gantt
“College student attendance patterns this spring compared to spring 2024 are reinforcing and building on the growth that we saw in the fall,” said Dr. Doug Shapiro, executive director of the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center (NSCRC), which released its report on spring 2025 enrollment. “Spring enrollments continue their progress towards recovering the levels of spring 2020.”
The current enrollment is a 3.2% increase from spring 2024. Undergraduate enrollment grew by 3.5% but still remains below pre-pandemic levels.
Community colleges play a significant role in the increase in undergraduate students, showing a 5.4% increase (288,000 students) over spring 2024. Total enrollment numbers remain down from 2020.
Dr. Bernard J. Gantt, vice president for enrollment management at Bronx Community College (BCC, a City University of New York institution), said BCC is seeing consistent growth. While first-time freshman numbers dipped slightly, there have been notable increases in transfer students, up 7%, and continuing students, up 4%.
“Bronx Community College experienced a 5% year-over-year increase and an 8% gain since spring 2023,” said Gantt. “This growth reflects strengthening student interest in accessible, flexible (i.e., online programs), and career-aligned education (i.e., health-related programs) following years of pandemic-related declines.”
NSCRC data shows that institutions focused on vocational/trade programs saw especially large gains for the third consecutive year at 11.7%. These programs now account for 19.4% of public two-year enrollment. Shapiro noted that students are going for shorter-term credentials at lower cost with more direct job-related skills.
