Postsecondary Enrollment Experiences Significant Gains in Spring 2024

The latest Current Term Enrollment Estimates report from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center reveals good news for postsecondary education, with undergraduate enrollment growing 2.5% (+359,000) and graduate enrollment growing 3.0% (+88,000) over spring 2023. The community college sector continues to experience the most significant gains in enrollment, increasing 4.7% (+17,000). The report also shows freshman enrollment increasing by 3.9% this spring.

“Undergraduate enrollments are picking up steam,” said Doug Shapiro, Executive Director of the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. “With year-over-year growth this spring at twice the rate of fall 2023, prospects may be looking up for struggling colleges. Growth is particularly promising for new freshmen entering community colleges during spring term.”

Other key findings include:

•  Demographics: The number of dual-enrolled high school students (17 and younger) grew for the third year in a row (+10.0%, +101,000), accounting for 28.1% of undergraduate enrollment increases.

• States: Forty-four states saw total enrollment growth this spring, ranging from 0.8% (Vermont) to 6.1% (Georgia).

• Field of Study: Undergraduate enrollment at four-year institutions increased for 15 of the top 20 major fields.
  • Computer and information sciences logged another year of high growth (+9.9%, +57,000 at four-year institutions).
  • Education program enrollment stabilized this year (-0.1%) following two years of steady declines at four-year institutions.
  • Undergraduate enrollment in health professions grew across all institution types this spring, marking the first increase in this field in years.

The report details enrollment by undergraduate majors, graduate programs, and regional and state enrollment trends. This expanded edition also features new analyses of students’ enrollment at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), community college enrollment by transfer or vocational program focus, and trends by institution locale, along with more detailed information on enrollment by credential level, age, and major field. To learn more, read the Current Term Enrollment Estimates report.

“Undergraduate enrollments are picking up steam. With year-over-year growth this spring at twice the rate of fall 2023, prospects may be looking up for struggling colleges. Growth is particularly promising for new freshmen entering community colleges during spring term.”

Doug Shapiro
Executive Director, National Student Clearinghouse Research Center

Additional Resources:

• Read the Spring 2024 Current Term Enrollment Estimates Report

• Visit our Research Center