The preliminary fall reports defy historical comparisons, however.
More and more institutions have folded online student enrollment into their numbers, some are counting so-called dual degree students (those who are taking full college loads while finishing high school) and community colleges are being more widely included in national estimates.
Still, with some specific exceptions, overall enrollment appears flat to lower than this time a year ago, say higher education officials across the nation. There is no consensus in their analysis of the emerging enrollment reports, save a widely shared empirical view that Latino and Asian population increases are accounting for much of what enrollment gains are being felt.
Institutions reporting higher enrollments this fall cite a combination of factors for their good news. Louisiana’s Southern University & A&M College System and others credit additional recruiters on the ground during recruiting seasons.
North Carolina Central University cites simplification of registration processes and improved teamwork with alumni. Still others, such as Diné College, credit establishment of stronger ties with high schools and community colleges that resulted in more reliable transfer pipelines for students to pursue and complete degree programs.
Those reporting lower enrollments today than this time a year ago say it reflects predictions they had made earlier, couching those reports in assurances of actions already underway to stem and even reverse their respective slides.
