US Colleges Face Shrinking Student Pipeline as High School Graduates Projected to Decline 13% Through 2041

Source Summary

US colleges are confronting a demographic decline as the number of high school graduates, after peaking in 2025, is projected to fall 13% through 2041. Regional schools with limited endowments face particular pressure. Institutions are responding by cutting programs, competing more intensely for students, and emphasizing affordability and return on investment. Inflation-adjusted tuition at public four-year colleges has declined 7% over the past decade.