In the age of artificial intelligence, spoofing in higher education has become more sophisticated, making it a serious threat to the industry. Understanding the forms and signs of spoofing is one important way to help combat it.
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The 2026 High School Benchmarks report from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center shows high school poverty level remains a key factor in postsecondary outcomes. Immediate college enrollment stayed largely steady, while persistence improved—especially among graduates from high-poverty high schools. However, significant gaps persist in enrollment, persistence, completion, and STEM degree attainment between high- and low-poverty schools.
The percentage of recent high school graduates who enroll in college and stay for a second year (persistence) increased across all high school income characteristics, according to new research from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.
National Student Clearinghouse Research Center data shows part-time undergraduate enrollment reached 5.7 million students in Fall 2025, while students who start college part-time are seeing decade-long highs in persistence and retention. Although recent gains were seen across institution types, part-time students still complete credentials at much lower rates than full-time students, making future completion trends important to watch.