Data released by the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center (NSCRC) shows a 3% increase in enrollment in undergraduate programs this fall compared to similar early data from fall 2023.This is the second consecutive year of undergraduate growth and third straight year of growth for community colleges.
Despite that overall undergraduate growth, NSCRC’s “Stay Informed” report for fall 2024 shows a decline in freshman enrollment. The preliminary data shows it is down by 5% from the same time last fall, with public (-8.5%) and private (-6.5%) nonprofit four-year institutions having the largest declines. At -6%, 18-year-olds enrolling immediately after high school account for much of the decline.
Dr. Brian R. Mitra, vice president of student affairs & enrollment management at Queensborough Community College
“[The freshmen decline] is a reversal of last year’s growth, taking the size of the freshman class back to pre-2022 levels,” said Shapiro, noting the data doesn’t show a clear cause for the decline. “Despite these declines in freshmen, there have been strong increases in the numbers of continuing and returning students among undergraduates.”
When asked if the FAFSA impacted freshman enrollment, Shapiro said the data doesn’t address that issue. Dr. Larry Hlavenka Jr., executive director of public relations at Bergen Community College in New Jersey, offered an on-the-ground perspective.
“It became evident early in the fall admissions cycle that the challenges with the FAFSA rollout represented a barrier to enrollment,” said Hlavenka. “We saw fewer numbers of students registering and needed to take immediate action rooted in high-engagement practices to ensure students could attend Bergen as planned. This work, a real testament to the diligence of our student affairs staff, gave students the confidence to register, which resulted in our census number coming in essentially flat year-over-year.”
