Where Did All the Students Go?
Survey
Jan. 2021
Sample Size:
1,696
Demographics:
undergraduate students
US adults
Topics:
Covid-19
Student Support
Admissions And Enrollment
Affordability
Career Readiness
Educational Pathways
Top Findings:
- A majority of each group (65 percent of continuers, 60 percent of stop-outs, 65 percent of new students, and 66 percent of aspirants) are concerned about catching COVID-19. Indeed, already 8 to 12 percent of each group say they had been infected with COVID-19 and most know someone who has been infected. All the groups had concerns about catching COVID-19 from attending in-person instruction (67 percent for continuers, 61 percent for stop-outs, 60 percent for new students, and 62 percent for aspirants).
- The major reasons stop-outs did not enroll in the fall had to do with financial concerns. Nearly two in five (41 percent) had to work, and 38 percent could no longer afford their program. Technology and remote learning for stop-outs tended to also be an issue that prevented enrollment, with 23 percent not wanting to take classes online and 19 percent not having the technology or internet access to take classes online. Stop-outs also felt very mixed about how well their institutions had adapted to online learning in the spring of 2020 (42 percent positive, 40 percent negative).
- One key difference found among those who enrolled in the fall and those who did not is aspiration in terms of degree attainment. Continuers (43 percent) and new students (45 percent) were more likely to be interested in pursuing a four-year degree or more, compared to stop-outs (20 percent) and aspirants (28 percent). Continuers tended to have more experience with online education. Continuers were more likely than others to have taken courses online before (64 percent), as had 48 percent of new students, compared to 40 percent of stop-outs and 44 percent of aspirants.
- Majorities of both stop-outs (57 percent) and aspirants (63 percent) still think it is likely they will enroll in the future.
Related Insights & Analysis
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Mar. 18th, 2021
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