A new sector tracking snapshot shows that while many enrollment leaders believe they met fall 2026 goals, performance varies by institution size and recruitment approach. The data finds six in 10 enrollment leaders reported they reached their targets, but smaller colleges were less likely to say they did. The reporting emphasizes operational differences: smaller institutions discounted prospective demand more heavily and relied on on-campus visits more to convert applicants. Those models can be vulnerable when conversion rates shift or when travel and yield patterns don’t hold. The development matters because fall 2026 planning hinges on lead-time decisions that affect budgets, staffing, and financial aid deployment. The enrollment gap by size suggests sharper risk for institutions that must hit targets with fewer marketing levers and tighter budgets.