The Clearinghouse Enrollment Insights series is created to offer higher education institutions, policy makers, and researchers a continuous and cohesive understanding of enrollment trends. It includes three reports released throughout the academic year.
The Preliminary Fall Enrollment Trends report is published every November, providing preliminary enrollment estimates for the fall term. It is first of the Clearinghouse Enrollment Insights series, designed to offer institutions, policy makers, and researchers an early look at enrollment trends for the fall.
Latest enrollment estimates for the current term nationally and by state, reported on by institution types, student groups, and major fields.
The Current Term Enrollment Estimates spring report provides the final enrollment estimates for the spring term based on comprehensive data. This report will be known as the Final Spring Enrollment Trends report starting June 2026.
The Current Term Enrollment Estimates fall report is published every January and provides the final enrollment estimates for the fall term based on comprehensive data. This report will be known as the Final Fall Enrollment Trends report starting January 2026.
In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, colleges and universities are pressed to re-evaluate their long- and short-term strategies, particularly as they pertain to enrollment management and student support services. The Research Center’s Stay Informed report series continues to enable educational and policy leaders to make informed decisions through timely enrollment trend reporting that began with the pandemic.
In fall 2019, overall postsecondary enrollments decreased 1.3 percent or more than 231,000 students from the previous fall to 17.9 million students.
In the current term (spring 2019) overall postsecondary enrollments decreased 1.7 percent from the previous spring.
In the current term (fall 2018) overall postsecondary enrollments decreased 1.7 percent from the previous fall.
In the current term (spring 2018) overall postsecondary enrollments decreased 1.3 percent from the previous spring.
In fall 2017, overall postsecondary enrollments decreased 1.0 percent from the previous fall.
In spring 2017, overall postsecondary enrollments decreased 1.5 percent from the previous spring.
In fall 2016, overall postsecondary enrollments decreased 1.4 percent from the previous fall.
In spring 2016, overall postsecondary enrollments decreased 1.3 percent from the previous spring.
In the current term (fall 2015 overall postsecondary enrollments decreased 1.7 percent from the previous fall.
In the current term (spring 2015), overall postsecondary enrollments decreased 1.9 percent from the previous spring. This report includes national enrollment estimates as well as subtotals by institutional sector, state, enrollment intensity, age group, and gender.
In fall 2014, overall postsecondary enrollments decreased 1.3 percent from the previous fall. In fall 2014, enrollments decreased among two-year public institutions (-6.0 percent) and four-year for-profit institutions (-0.4 percent). Enrollments increased among four-year public institutions (+2.2 percent) and four-year private non-profit institutions (+1.6 percent).
In the current term (spring 2014), overall postsecondary enrollments decreased 0.8% from the previous spring. Enrollments decreased among four-year for-profit institutions (-4.9 percent) and two-year public institutions (-2.7 percent). However, enrollments increased slightly among four-year public institutions (+0.7%) and four-year private non-profit institutions (+2.0%).
In fall 2013, overall postsecondary enrollments decreased 1.5% from the previous fall. In fall 2013, enrollments decreased among four-year for-profit institutions (-9.7 percent) and two-year public institutions (-3.1 percent). However, enrollments increased slightly among four-year public institutions (+0.3%) and four-year private non-profit institutions (+1.3%).
In the current term (spring 2013), enrollments have decreased, compared to the previous spring, in every sector except four-year private nonprofits, with the largest decreases taking place among four-year for-profits (-8.7 percent) and two-year publics (-3.6 percent).
In the current term (fall 2012), enrollments have decreased in every sector except four-year private nonprofits, with the largest decreases taking place among four-year for-profits (-7.2 percent) and two-year publics (-3.1 percent).