Preliminary data from the National Student Clearinghouse show undergraduate enrollment rose about 2.4% this fall, driving an overall 2% increase in postsecondary enrollment and marking a third consecutive year of gains. Community colleges led the growth—up roughly 4%—while short‑term credential and certificate programs showed the strongest expansion within undergraduates. Graduate enrollment remained essentially flat, with master’s programs dipping slightly as doctoral programs inched higher. The clearinghouse noted a sharp decline in computer and information sciences enrollment across levels, while health and trade fields grew. The data suggest students are gravitating toward applied and workforce‑oriented credentials amid labor‑market uncertainty. Institutional leaders should treat the early figures as tactical signals: community colleges and certificate programs may need capacity investment and employer partnerships, while four‑year campuses should re-evaluate recruitment and program mix. Finalized data in January will matter for budget cycles and state funding formulas.