U.S. postsecondary enrollment rose 1% in fall 2025 versus the prior year, driven mainly by gains at community colleges and public four-year institutions, the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center found. Community colleges recorded a 3% increase, with roughly 66,000 of those gains traced to dual-enrollment (students age 17 and younger). The growth masks important divergences: private nonprofit four‑year institutions lost ground, graduate enrollment dipped slightly, and international graduate enrollment fell about 5.9% — the first meaningful decline since 2020. Clearinghouse analysts warn that while headcount has returned to pre-pandemic totals, the sector’s composition is shifting toward short‑term credentials and workforce-aligned programs. Enrollment managers should watch dual-enrollment, international graduate flows, and certificate growth as near-term bellwethers for institutional planning.