National fall enrollment rose roughly 1% in 2025, driven mainly by community colleges and public four‑year institutions, according to National Student Clearinghouse data and sector analyses. The headline gain masks divergent patterns: community colleges saw notable increases tied to dual-enrollment and certificate programs, while private nonprofit four‑year and some graduate programs—especially international graduate enrollments—declined. At the same time, distance education enrollment is climbing across states as institutions expand hybrid and online offerings. Several states reported increased participation in courses that use technology, reflecting ongoing institutional bets on flexible delivery models. For campus leaders, the mixed picture matters: growth in public and two‑year sectors suggests opportunities to scale workforce-aligned credentials, but institutions reliant on international graduate tuition or private nonprofit revenue must adjust recruitment, pricing and program mix to sustain budgets.