National Student Clearinghouse Research Center
Coverage of National Student Clearinghouse Research Center in the Nexus archive.
- Computer science enrollment fell for the first time in 20 years after ChatGPT's rise, a Stanford economist says
Computer science enrollment declined for the first time in two decades during the 2025-26 academic year, according to a Stanford economist's study. The decline coincided with the rise of generative AI like ChatGPT, but the study does not establish causation. National data showed an 8.1% year-over-year drop in computer science enrollment at four-year colleges in fall 2025.
- The Great Recession’s missing children are finally bringing college’s financial crisis into sight. Welcome to the ‘enrollment volatility’ era
Universities face financial crises due to declining enrollments linked to the Great Recession's birth rate drop. Syracuse University and others report missed enrollment targets and budget deficits, with small private liberal arts colleges, like Hampshire College, at risk of closure. Enrollment volatility is now a widespread challenge.
- Opinion: Faster, Cheaper, Job-Related: Students Demand Flexible Credentials After HS
Students and working adults increasingly prioritize faster, cheaper, and job-focused credentials over traditional four-year degrees. Data shows a rise in non-degree certificates in fields like healthcare and IT, with 3.4 million credentials awarded in 2024-25. A Washington Post example highlights a human resources executive earning a bachelor’s and master’s in months for under $4,000.