National Student Clearinghouse Research Center data showed spring enrollment rose 1% year over year to 18.6 million students, driven mainly by undergraduate growth at public institutions. Community colleges climbed 3%, and public four-year colleges rose 1.5%, while private nonprofit undergraduate enrollment was essentially flat. Graduate enrollment continued to lag, dropping 0.1% to 3.1 million, with declines particularly in master’s programs and in international students at graduate schools. The report also highlighted a 10.2% jump in undergraduate certificate programs. At the academic-field level, healthcare programs posted third-straight year growth in undergraduates, while computer and information sciences saw steep declines—an ongoing mix shift that colleges are likely to address in recruitment and program planning.
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