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Black and Hispanic College Freshmen Return for Their Second Year at Highest Rate in a Decade
Nearly 86 percent of the 2.62 million students who entered college in the fall of 2024 returned for their second semester — and more than 77 percent returned the next fall, according to a new report from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. Those rates held steady from the prior year.
Spring Enrollment: Undergraduate Growth Continues While Graduate Enrollment Holds Steady
Spring 2026 postsecondary enrollment totaled 18.6 million students, marking a modest 1.0 percent increase from the previous year, according to a new report from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.
National Student Clearinghouse Launches Sentinel 360SM to Help Institutions Fight Multi-Million Dollar “Ghost Student” Fraud
The National Student Clearinghouse today announced the introduction of Sentinel 360SM, a platform that will empower higher education institutions to identify early signals of potential “ghost student” fraud.
Undergraduate Credential Attainment Grows as Students Complete Credentials at Younger Ages
More than 3.4 million learners earned undergraduate credentials in the 2024–25 academic year, marking a 3.2% increase from the previous year, according to a new report from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.
Fall Undergraduate Enrollment Shows Overall Growth Despite Decline at Private Colleges
Total postsecondary enrollment in the United States grew 1.0% in fall 2025, driven by gains in undergraduate enrollment at both community colleges and public 4-year programs, according to a new report from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.
College Completion Rates Hold Steady at Recent Highs
National college completion rates held steady this year at the high levels reached in recent years, according to a report by the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.
Preliminary Fall Report Shows Steady Undergraduate Enrollment Growth
Early reporting finds total enrollment at colleges and universities this fall grew 2.0%, driven by a 2.4% increase in undergraduate enrollment, according to a preliminary report from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.
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Latest from the Research Center
Undergraduate Enrollment in Health Professions Continues Multi-Year Growth in Spring 2026
Health Professions’ enrollment grew for the third consecutive year in spring 2026, topping two million undergraduate students nationwide, according to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center’s Final Spring Enrollment Trends. Gains were seen across four-year, two-year, and PAB institutions, with nursing remaining the largest area of study.
New Persistence and Retention Report Reveals Decade-High Rates Among Black, Hispanic, and Part-Time Students
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 Enrollment Trends: Undergraduate Growth Continues as Graduate Enrollment Levels Off
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.