National Student Clearinghouse Research Center Finds a Methodological Error Affecting Preliminary Fall 2024 Higher Education Enrollment Reports

Subsequent Research Finds Freshman Enrollment Increased This Fall

HERNDON, VA – (JANUARY 13, 2025) – The National Student Clearinghouse Research Center today released a statement from Executive Director Doug Shapiro about an error affecting the freshman enrollment data in its October preliminary fall enrollment report:

“The National Student Clearinghouse Research Center has identified a methodological error affecting its calculation of freshman enrollment in the preliminary enrollment report released in October 2024. That report, called the Stay Informed Report, is based on data provided by 50 percent of higher education institutions. The error in research methodology caused the mislabeling of certain students as dual-enrolled rather than as freshmen and, as a result, the number of freshmen was undercounted, and the number of dual-enrolled was overcounted. The error also affected the Special Analysis of 18-year-old Freshmen report released in November.”

“Our subsequent research finds freshman enrollment increased this fall. The Research Center will release its Current Term Enrollment Estimates report on January 23 – this report is not based on preliminary data, encompasses nearly all institutions of higher education, and uses different methodologies to determine freshman enrollees.”

“The National Student Clearinghouse Research Center acknowledges the importance and significance of its role in providing accurate and reliable research to the higher education community. We deeply regret this error and are conducting a thorough review to understand the root cause and implement measures to prevent such occurrences in the future.”

The Research Center created the Stay Informed report in the summer of 2020 to provide early and real-time enrollment information to meet the acute information needs of the higher education community at the height of the COVID pandemic. The Research Center has continued to produce final and complete reporting on enrollment each winter in its Current Term Enrollment Estimates, released every January.

About the National Student Clearinghouse^® Research Center™

The National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is the research arm of the National Student Clearinghouse. The Research Center collaborates with higher education institutions, states, school districts, high schools, and educational organizations as part of a national effort to better inform education leaders and policymakers. Through accurate longitudinal data outcomes reporting, the Research Center enables better educational policy decisions leading to improved student outcomes. To learn more, visit nscresearchcenter.org.

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