""We're always very cautious about our undergraduate enrollment, because we are experiencing a demographic decline in traditional-aged students going to college. So, now institutions have to be really thoughtful about their marketing strategies and how they can reach adult learners.""
""The number of first-time learners over the age of 25 dropped by 15.5 percent from fall 2024 to fall 2025, reversing the previous trend of increasing enrollment among adult students.""
""This fall's decrease was largest at private colleges, where older students already make up a smaller minority of students, and was least severe at community colleges, where new enrollment of those over 25 declined by 11.7 percent.""
After a significant increase in adult student enrollment post-COVID, the number of first-time learners over 25 declined by 15.5% from fall 2024 to fall 2025. This decrease is particularly notable at private colleges, while community colleges experienced a smaller decline of 11.7%. Experts suggest that institutions must adapt their marketing strategies to effectively reach adult learners, especially as traditional-aged student numbers continue to decline. The focus on adult students has been a priority for many institutions, but recruitment efforts often target those with prior college experience.
Read at Inside Higher Ed | Higher Education News, Events and Jobs
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]