Rising childcare costs and tuition increases are closing doors for adult learners and parents returning to college. A California Competes report finds more than 100,000 Bay Area adults with young children cite childcare expense as a barrier to enrolling. At the same time, Oregon State University’s trustees approved tuition increases—roughly 5.8%–6.3% depending on student status—to close a projected $14 million budget gap, expecting an additional $32.3 million in revenue. The convergence of family costs and institutional revenue shortfalls is reshaping enrollment choices and threatens recovery among nontraditional and part‑time student cohorts.