New national enrollment data show a notable shift: total undergraduate enrollment rose to its highest level in a decade, driven almost entirely by community colleges, associate programs and certificate enrollments. Community colleges added roughly 173,000 undergraduate students last fall, vastly outpacing growth at public four‑year universities and leaving many private nonprofit institutions with declines. Analysts point to cost pressures, student debt concerns and a tighter entry‑level labor market as drivers encouraging students to choose shorter, career‑focused credentials over four‑year degrees. The pattern reflects a reallocation of talent toward lower‑cost pathways and applied credentials. Four‑year institutions face accelerated pressure to demonstrate value, improve affordability, and expand credential offerings or risk further market share erosion.