The new Persistence and Retention Report from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center shows that nearly 86% of students who started college in fall 2024 returned for their second semester, with over 77% returning in fall 2025. The report revealed decade-high persistence and retention rates among Black, Hispanic, Native American, and part-time students.
Spring 2026 postsecondary enrollment rose 1.0% to 18.6 million students, according to the Final Spring Enrollment Trends report. The increase was driven by a 1.3% increase in undergraduate enrollment at public institutions, especially community colleges and certificate programs. Graduate enrollment remained flat with a slight decline in master’s programs and a drop in international graduate students. Computer science enrollment continued to fall, while health professions and engineering posted strong gains, signaling a continued shift toward workforce-aligned fields and practical educational pathways.
More students are pursuing flexible, nonlinear paths through higher education by building on earlier credentials, returning to school, and changing fields of study, according to the latest Undergraduate Degree Earners report. Associate degrees remain the most common stepping stone to a bachelor’s degree, while certificate holders often continue on to associate programs. The findings also show that major changes are common, especially in STEM, as learners adapt their education to evolving career goals and opportunities.
Dual enrollment is linked to stronger higher education outcomes. The National Student Clearinghouse Research Center’s Tracking Transfer report shows that students who enter community college with dual enrollment experience are more likely to persist, transfer to four-year institutions, and ultimately complete a bachelor’s degree.
The latest Undergraduate Degree Earners report finds 3.4 million learners earned undergraduate credentials in 2024–25, up 3.2% from the prior year, driven by faster, more flexible pathways. More students are completing credentials earlier, often through dual enrollment before finishing high school. “Stacking” awards is rising, with many earning an associate degree before a bachelor’s and maintaining momentum toward workforce goals.
Community colleges serve as a key entry point to higher education, yet fewer than one in five students who start at community colleges earn a bachelor’s degree within six years. The National Student Clearinghouse Research Center’s Tracking Transfer report provides detailed insights into the transfer pathways and degree completion outcomes of community college students from the 2018 cohort.