Total college enrollment (2-year + 4-year) peaked in 2010. 2008 was the peak year for U.S. high school graduations (the peak of the “Baby boom echo”). Since 2010, enrollment has been in decline. This makes it easier for today’s young people to get accepted into college; many major universities are offering free tuition to those from households earning up to $200,000 per year.
Community college – also known as 2-year college – enrollment varies with the economy. When the economy is bad, more workers retrain in community college programs. When the economy is good, they are working.
Another chart is measuring “first time enrollment”. About 1 in 5 to 1 in 3 students drop out during or after the first year (estimates vary based on what types of colleges they surveyed). Between 32 and 42% of all college students will ultimately drop out and not complete a degree – up to 50% of public college students may drop out.
