Early data from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center show college and university undergraduate enrollments fell by 3.2 percent fall.  The September 2021 drops follows a 3.4 percent decline in 2020. Since fall 2019, undergraduate enrollments have dropped by 6.5 percent.
 
While undergraduate enrollment is down in all sectors, private nonprofit four-year students fared better, falling only 0.7 percent this fall due to 4.3 percent more students enrolled in highly selective institutions.
 
Graduate enrollment continued to grow, reaching 2.1 percent above last fall’s level, for a total growth of 5.3 percent over two years.
 
Below is a sampling of media coverage of this new report:
 
 
First-Look Fall 2021 Enrollment
National Student Clearinghouse (October 26, 2021)
 
Undergraduate Enrollment Continues Its Slide, Dipping 3.2 Percent From Last Year
The Chronicle of Higher Education (October 26, 2021)
 
These Were Last Fall’s Winners and Losers in Undergraduate Enrollment
The Chronicle of Higher Education (October 8, 2021)
 
Enrollments Still Falling 2 Years Into Pandemic
Inside Higher Ed (October 26, 2021)
 
Nationwide College Enrollment Continues to Slide
The Washington Post (October 26, 2021)
 
Sobering New Numbers Show Fall College Enrollment Continuing to Slump Across Pa., U.S.
Pittsburgh Post Gazette (October 26, 2021)
 
Down 3.2% This Fall, College Enrollment Numbers May Reach 50-Year Low
UniversityBusiness.com (October 26, 2021)
 
College Enrollment on Track for Largest Two-Year Drop on Record
US News & World Report (October 26, 2021)

Colleges See Largest Two-year Enrollment Decline in 50 Years Amid Pandemic
The Hill.com (October 27, 2021)

College Enrollment Rates Continue to Fall Nationwide, With Community Colleges Hardest Hit
The Columbus Dispatch, Columbus, OH (October 27, 2021)

Undergraduate Enrollment Drops 3.2% This Fall, Deepening Last Year's Losses
HigherEdDive.com (October 26, 2021)

College Enrollment Is Flat in Virginia, But Low-income Students Are Less Likely to Choose College Now
The Times Dispatch, Richmond, VA (October 27, 2021)