Advertisement

Why Is College Enrollment Declining? A Look At The State And U.S.

04:26
Download Audio
Resume
College graduates about to receive their diploma. (Seth Wenig/AP)
College graduates about to receive their diploma. (Seth Wenig/AP)

College enrollment is dropping both nationally and in the state of Massachusetts, and community college are especially struggling.

According to the National Clearinghouse Research Center, enrollment in the two-year schools dropped more than 3% across the country last year compared to 2017.

The state's Department of Higher Education estimates those drop-offs were even steeper in Massachusetts — with enrollment dipping more than 4%.

Michael Horn, a higher education writer for the Lexington-based Christensen Institute, joined WBUR's Morning Edition host Bob Oakes to talk about what's causing the downturn.

This segment aired on June 5, 2019.

Headshot of Bob Oakes

Bob Oakes Senior Correspondent
Bob Oakes was a senior correspondent in the WBUR newsroom, a role he took on in 2021 after nearly three decades hosting WBUR's Morning Edition.

More…

Advertisement

More from WBUR

Listen Live
Close