A new EAB poll found that cost-of-living concerns are increasingly shaping whether high school graduates enroll in college. Two-thirds of respondents who chose not to enroll cited living-expense pressures, with the share rising sharply year over year. EAB also reported a shift in postsecondary timing choices—more students moving directly into work and fewer taking gap years—suggesting growing urgency around immediate earnings. Among students already enrolling, job placement and internships remain high priorities, while many express uncertainty about artificial intelligence’s impact on their careers. The findings add to the affordability pressure higher education institutions are facing as they compete for students who increasingly weigh expenses against outcomes. EAB noted differences by household income and first-generation status, including stronger emphasis on financial aid access among first-generation respondents. For admissions leaders, the poll highlights a dual challenge: persuading students of career returns while offering affordability support that accounts for broader household financial stress beyond tuition alone.