Texas community colleges offer more bachelor’s degrees than ever, but only 4,500 students enrolled last fall compared with 114,000 at public universities. Leaders say the programs are affordable paths to good jobs but face low awareness and lingering doubts.

Roanoke College revived its varsity football program after more than 80 years, joining a wave of small colleges adding the sport to attract students, especially men. Research shows football can bring a short-term enrollment bump, but long-term gains are uncertain.

A student can stream an entire season of a show on a cracked phone in a moving car. They can check their bank balance, locate their roommate and order dinner—all without stopping to think about how it works.

Research also offers solutions for addressing under-enrolled schools aside from closing them altogether.