{"id":33381,"date":"2024-09-10T10:00:34","date_gmt":"2024-09-10T10:00:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/interstride.com\/?p=33381"},"modified":"2025-03-10T19:53:31","modified_gmt":"2025-03-10T19:53:31","slug":"strategies-overcome-enrollment-cliff","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/interstride.com\/blog\/strategies-overcome-enrollment-cliff\/","title":{"rendered":"Strategies to overcome the enrollment cliff"},"content":{"rendered":"

In higher ed, the enrollment cliff is defined as a decline in the number of students enrolling in college. The word “cliff” sounds like a sudden sharp decline, but in reality, the enrollment cliff is more of a gradual downturn. Admissions professionals who are faced with enrollment quotas are likely concerned about the enrollment cliff and looking for ways to lessen its effects.<\/span><\/p>\n

After decades of steady increase, postsecondary school enrollment has been dropping every year since 2010 according to data from the <\/span>National Center for Education Statistics<\/span><\/a>. All schools are not equally affected by the enrollment cliff. Some schools have already been feeling it for years while others may just be starting to see the effects. <\/span><\/p>\n

Community colleges, four-year undergraduate institutions, and those in more remote locations could be hit the hardest while elite universities with strong brand recognition will be less impacted.<\/span> Colleges and universities on <\/span>the East Coast of the US and in the Midwest<\/span><\/a> may experience the ramifications of the enrollment cliff more than schools in other areas due to more significant declines in population and students leaving the regions for college.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why is college enrollment declining in the US?<\/b><\/h2>\n

There are several reasons for the decline in college enrollment. First, the <\/span>birth rate in the US<\/span><\/a> has been declining since the 2008 recession. The <\/span>CDC<\/span><\/a> reports that in there were 4,247,694 births in 2009 compared to 3,667,758 births in 2022. Children born in 2008 or later will begin to enter college in the next 2-3 years, causing the enrollment cliff to continue through at least 2029.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated the enrollment cliff. Decreased immigration and vacillating international enrollment due to the pandemic and increasing anti-immigration sentiments from the US government lead to a decrease in <\/span>the number of international students enrolling in US colleges<\/span><\/a> from 2016 to 2022. Lastly, due to rising tuition costs, more domestic and international students may have doubts regarding the value of a college degree.<\/span><\/p>\n

Attracting international students: A key to boosting enrollment<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If your institution is experiencing a decline in domestic applicants, focusing on international students can be a strategic way to increase enrollment volume. While the number of U.S. college students is shrinking, the international student population is growing rapidly. In fact,\u00a0India has climbed to the top of the list\u00a0with a\u00a035% increase in international students<\/a> in the US in 2022-2023.<\/p>\n

Data from the <\/span>Institute of International Education<\/span><\/a> shows that the 2022-2023 school year saw an increase in international student enrollment in the US to pre-pandemic levels. Both undergraduate and graduate-level international enrollment rates have risen, but graduate enrollment of international students is growing at a faster rate than undergraduate. This makes international students a key resource in keeping up with enrollment quotas.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Stay competitive: Tips for attracting international students to your institution<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Demand for international education continues to rise, with the US remaining a top destination thanks to its many world-class universities. However, countries like Canada, the UK, and Australia are quickly gaining ground as popular choices for international students.<\/p>\n

To counter the enrollment cliff and ensure your institution remains a top choice, US colleges and universities must adopt competitive strategies to attract both undergraduate and graduate-level international students. Below, we share actionable tips to help you stand out in the global education landscape.<\/p>\n

Tips for attracting undergraduate international students<\/b><\/h3>\n