Undergraduate enrollment at four-year colleges and universities has returned to pre-pandemic levels for the first time since 2019, according to new data released by the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.
The rebound is driven primarily by increased enrollment among Hispanic and Asian American students, as well as a significant uptick in community college transfers to four-year institutions. Online and hybrid programs continue to attract non-traditional students.
However, enrollment among male students and those from rural communities remains below 2019 figures, suggesting that recovery has been uneven across demographic groups.
