Preliminary National Student Clearinghouse data show undergraduate enrollment rose 2.4% this fall, driving a 2% overall increase in higher education enrollment and marking a third straight year of undergraduate growth. Community colleges led the gains with a 4% increase, while short-term credential enrollment jumped 6.6% and associate programs rose 3.1%. The Clearinghouse and National Student Clearinghouse Research Center reports highlight strong growth in mechanic, repair, engineering technologies and health professions at two‑year institutions, while computer and information science enrollment fell notably — declines that analysts link to labor-market signals and AI-related shifts. Graduate enrollment overall was essentially flat. Why it matters: The data confirm a reshaped demand landscape favoring community colleges and workforce-oriented credentials, pushing institutional strategy, curricular planning and resource allocation toward shorter, job-aligned pathways.