A breakdown in student demographics illustrates that the popularity of earning a certificate for first-time credential earners isn't tied to one gender or ethnicity, according to the latest report from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.
Several degree-granting colleges and universities have found ways to open students' accessibility to pathway programs—while keeping the door open for continued education.
While this is the first time overall undergraduate enrollment is up post-pandemic, public and private nonprofit four-year institutions seeking freshmen students must take this data with a grain of salt, according to preliminary data from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.
Mathematics and computer science was only the only broad field of study to experience an increase in enrollment at 5.4%, according to the Council of Graduate Schools.
New America's "Varying Degrees 2023" survey found that 70% of Americans believe higher education will improve one's financial stability, but only 59% disagree that the state of higher ed is fine as it is.
National Student Clearinghouse found first-year students have a 67.2% retention rate, besting pre-pandemic averages. NSCRC defines retention as students who remain at a given institution for their second year instead of transferring, which counts toward persistence.
Partnerships add revenue and enrollment numbers to a college's bottom line and expand the career track offerings students need. It's a win-win for both sectors facing changing markets.
Seven out of 10 of the highest average earners may be in engineering unrelated to computer technology, but the one and two spots are reserved for computer engineering and computer science.
First-time undergraduate earners made up 86% of the 58,800 drop in total credential earners, which "marks the largest decline in first-time graduates since 2012-13," according to the report.
