Community College enrollment plunges, this can't be good

[LuvOrlando]

Not everyone needs to go, I get that, but if we had a proportion of people going and the volume drops precipitously, we should be asking graduating HS students and their families why.
It's not like you can't just send a survey since the schools know where to find millions of seniors. Whatever is going on it seems concerning since in many towns most Nurses, Radiology techs, Vet techs and such some from special programs.

https://thehill.com/homenews/395089...llment-plunges-nearly-40-percent-in-a-decade/

 

[leebee]

Not that an 'n' of 2 is statistically valid, but DH and I both work at Universities (different universities). Enrollment is WAY down for next fall at both schools. "Way down" meaning departments have been asked to evaluate their staff positions to see what can be reduced or cut, salary lines for hiring replacement faculty have been eliminated, etc. They are also saying that any course with fewer than 12 students enrolled will be canceled. This sounds reasonable until you realize that some programs (physics, for example) don't have 12 majors at every level. If too many courses are canceled/postponed (like only offered in fall of even numbered years), current students are going to need to take an extra year to finish their degrees. The general chemistry program has cut 10 lab sections, from 32 to 22. This is telling, as the chem department teaches gen chem as a service course, to students from all majors, campus-wide. I am not sure why this is happening, but it's real.

 

[lanejudy]

I can tell you our situation...not sure if it fits for "most" or even "many" but I'm sure we aren't the only ones. DD is planning to do a "Flexible Pathways" year next year and the plan was to take a couple of courses at the local community college which is literally right down the street from her high school. However the community college is still just returning from covid chaos -- meaning many of their classes have been online or hybrid. The fall 2023 course schedule was just released -- with NO in-person daytime courses. That just doesn't work for us. I think generally speaking the high school kids are done with online; they want in-person learning.

I can see how online may be a better fit for the non-traditional student, and that has historically been the market for our community college. However in the past decade or so they had really started to pull in many high school seniors or those just out of high school to get the gen-eds done at lower cost (even free if still in high school).

 

[soccerdad72]

Community college enrollment tends to increase / decrease inversely in comparison to unemployment rates. In periods of higher unemployment, individuals head to community colleges in an effort to make themselves more marketable. In periods of lower unemployement, many of those same individuals are working instead of going to school. Or, when the economy is doing better, some of those students choose 4 year institutions over community colleges.

 

[RamblingMad]

The Hill isn’t really a reputable source.

Of course, the cost of university is ridiculous these days. Going to make it more difficult to find domestic employees. But we’ll be ok. We’ve got a bright AI future.

 

[mjkacmom]

I have 3 college graduates, 2 in undergrad, 1 in grad school, all of their colleges have had increased enrollment over several years, and acceptance rates have dropped with more applications. DD’s college went from a 62% to 49% to 36% acceptance rate this year, record enrollment. Our CC is $10,000 a year so not a huge cost savings.

 

[darnheather]

I'm a big believer in three paths to success. First, is vocational school that students begin in high school. Second, is community college for positions like day care worker, CNA, etc. Finally, is full college primarily for people who want to get masters degrees or PhDs. I think America has gotten out of hand with the requirements for entry level jobs.

 

[_19disnA]

It seems like the graph in the OP's article only gives one part of the picture. I would also like to see how many h.s. students in total graduated in each of those years, how many attended a 4-yr college or didn't go to college at all.

 

[amylevan]

I have friends that are professors at our community college and 1 that works in admissions there. Enrollment is significantly down there, but according to them it’s down across our state schools as well, just not to same degree.

 

[LuvOrlando]

I can't help but wonder how much the costs of books are impacting attendance. I was a poor kid in CUNY and the costs of books were a huge undertaking. Many people budget for classes but the books and calculators etc are an extra and could be pushing families over the tipping point.

It is also possible many young people need to work to keep up with family expenses or to help with childcare of their own children or siblings. The rising costs will have unintended consequences & lower enrollment of vulnerable groups, sadly, may be one of them.

If the US loses nurses that would be very bad with the aging boomers moving towards needing care as time marches forward, fewer trained staff increases the chances of mistakes.

 

[Colleen27]

When wages are high and unemployment is low, a chunk of kids who would choose community college in more difficult economic conditions choose to go into the workforce instead. And right now, at least here in the shadow of the Motor City where manufacturing is a major employment sector, covid accelerated the onset of the skilled trades worker shortage that has been talked about for years which has led to a lot more on-the-job training options for young people interested in the trades.

 

[LuvOrlando]

When wages are high and unemployment is low, a chunk of kids who would choose community college in more difficult economic conditions choose to go into the workforce instead. And right now, at least here in the shadow of the Motor City where manufacturing is a major employment sector, covid accelerated the onset of the skilled trades worker shortage that has been talked about for years which has led to a lot more on-the-job training options for young people interested in the trades.

On the job trade training in the US sounds like a fantastic pivot!

So smart to bring it back before all the experienced factory workers retire. People with experience in managing a manufacturing plant can mentor younger people who know how to use the new systems and save a ton of money in startup costs.

 

[mjkacmom]

I can't help but wonder how much the costs of books are impacting attendance. I was a poor kid in CUNY and the costs of books were a huge undertaking. Many people budget for classes but the books and calculators etc are an extra and could be pushing families over the tipping point.

It is also possible many young people need to work to keep up with family expenses or to help with childcare of their own children or siblings. The rising costs will have unintended consequences & lower enrollment of vulnerable groups, sadly, may be one of them.

If the US loses nurses that would be very bad with the aging boomers moving towards needing care as time marches forward, fewer trained staff increases the chances of mistakes.

The cost of books has dropped dramatically with rental and online options, teen pregnancy has dropped, people are having children later, and nursing programs are so competitive to get into, usually a closed major because colleges just don’t have enough room for all that want to attend their programs. Some programs struggled due to Covid with online classes and lack of clinicals.

 

[anniemae]

We are starting to explore colleges. I want to encourage my ds to look at community colleges. It seems there is a stigma, does anyone know why? Everyone is pushing their kids to 4 year colleges it seems. When I mention CC most just kind of shrug and you can tell they think it's a bad idea. There are other options like CC, apprentice, take a year off to work and save money etc. Also, they can transfer into a 4 year school after CC.

There seems to be a general attitude that 4 year colleges are the only choice and the best choice. Does it really set kids up for better success if they attend a 4 year school? It is just so expensive and most kids I know that went to college are not even in a job that they went to school for.

 

[TCRAIG]

We are starting to explore colleges. I want to encourage my ds to look at community colleges. It seems there is a stigma, does anyone know why? Everyone is pushing their kids to 4 year colleges it seems. When I mention CC most just kind of shrug and you can tell they think it's a bad idea. There are other options like CC, apprentice, take a year off to work and save money etc. Also, they can transfer into a 4 year school after CC.

There seems to be a general attitude that 4 year colleges are the only choice and the best choice. Does it really set kids up for better success if they attend a 4 year school? It is just so expensive and most kids I know that went to college are not even in a job that they went to school for.

Maybe because CC is ‘part time’ and you can’t live on campus…
My nephew is going to CC for graphic design with 1 semester left…ALL of his classes have been YouTube videos…

 

[radishtoaster]

Maybe because CC is ‘part time’ and you can’t live on campus…
My nephew is going to CC for graphic design with 1 semester left…ALL of his classes have been YouTube videos…

This isn't true of all community colleges. The ones in our state all have on campus living arrangements as well as offer full time classes and degree programs. In fact, our state recently adapted free community college for in state graduates and we are still struggling with enrollment.

IMO and from what I've read the current generation is not interested in CC because very few of them have any interest in trades or really hands on jobs in general. I fear that these are the repercussions of a generation convinced that they can get their 15 minutes of fame with a viral video or become some paid YouTube because they made a couple vids. I am convinced they have stopped trying in other areas because many think the internet is basically a giant get rich quick scheme.
I really hope I'm wrong and more of them go into trades because it is desperately needed in our area at least.

 

[anniemae]

Maybe because CC is ‘part time’ and you can’t live on campus…
My nephew is going to CC for graphic design with 1 semester left…ALL of his classes have been YouTube videos…

Yes, it is generally a commuting school, but from what I understand is not part time. You can take a full course load, but you can also to part time. The part time makes it appealing for adults looking to switch careers or advance their careers, but I thought high school grads could attend full time if they wish. My understanding is that it is generally a two year degree vs. a four year.

 

[TCRAIG]

Yes, it is generally a commuting school, but from what I understand is not part time. You can take a full course load, but you can also to part time. The part time makes it appealing for adults looking to switch careers or advance their careers, but I thought high school grads could attend full time if they wish. My understanding is that it is generally a two year degree vs. a four year.

That’s why I put part time in quotes - you pay by the class, not by the semester…

 

[QueenIsabella]

We are starting to explore colleges. I want to encourage my ds to look at community colleges. It seems there is a stigma, does anyone know why? Everyone is pushing their kids to 4 year colleges it seems. When I mention CC most just kind of shrug and you can tell they think it's a bad idea. There are other options like CC, apprentice, take a year off to work and save money etc. Also, they can transfer into a 4 year school after CC.

There seems to be a general attitude that 4 year colleges are the only choice and the best choice. Does it really set kids up for better success if they attend a 4 year school? It is just so expensive and most kids I know that went to college are not even in a job that they went to school for.

It might be a regional thing. When we lived in the Northeast, community colleges were looked down on as an option for the directionless, the working, that kind of thing.

Where we live now (North Carolina), it's one more option among many. The local CC has a number of interesting programs, from truck driving to culinary to nursing. It has the main theater venue (think Broadway style shows--my kids saw "Chicago and "Legally Blonde" there earlier this year). Students can learn theater production, lighting, sound, etc. There are some really solid choices available.

 

[anniemae]

IMO and from what I've read the current generation is not interested in CC because very few of them have any interest in trades or really hands on jobs in general. I fear that these are the repercussions of a generation convinced that they can get their 15 minutes of fame with a viral video or become some paid YouTube because they made a couple vids. I am convinced they have stopped trying in other areas because many think the internet is basically a giant get rich quick scheme.
I really hope I'm wrong and more of them go into trades because it is desperately needed in our area at least.

Yes, I have seen a lot of this. I have seen people promoting get rich quick jobs like affiliate marketing, selling digital products etc. Some promise to give you their secret if you take a class for $7 or so. All claim to get you thousands of dollars a week. All for just a few hours a day. It seems this generation does not want the M-F 9-5 type jobs. Not sure if these internet jobs are legit or not.