Spring 2026 Enrollment Trends: Undergraduate Growth Continues as Graduate Enrollment Levels Off

The latest enrollment data from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center reveals a higher education landscape that continues to evolve. While undergraduate enrollment maintained its upward momentum in Spring 2026, graduate enrollment remained largely unchanged, reflecting shifting student priorities and changing demand across academic fields. 

According to the Clearinghouse Enrollment Insights: Final Spring Enrollment Trends Report, total postsecondary enrollment reached 18.6 million students this spring, a 1.0% increase over Spring 2025. The gains were driven almost entirely by undergraduate programs, while graduate enrollment remained essentially flat. 

Undergraduate Enrollment Continues to Climb 

Undergraduate enrollment grew to 15.5 million students, increasing 1.3% this spring. Public institutions continued to be the primary source of growth, particularly community colleges and public four-year universities. 

Community colleges enrolled 5.8 million students this spring, marking a 5.2% increase compared to Spring 2021. Public four-year institutions also saw enrollment gains, growing 1.5% to nearly 6 million students. 

Growth occurred across all undergraduate credential types: 

• Certificate programs increased 10.2%, adding 86,000 students. 

• Associate degree programs grew 1.3%, adding 59,000 students. 

• Bachelor’s degree programs increased 1.0%, adding 85,000 students. 

“These trends reinforce the growing demand for flexible and career-focused educational pathways, especially short-term certificate programs that can help students quickly enter or advance in and their chosen careers,” said Matthew Holsapple, Senior Director of Research at the National Student Clearinghouse. 

Graduate Enrollment Tapers 

While undergraduate enrollment expanded, graduate enrollment remained steady at approximately 3.1 million students, declining by just 0.1%. 

The most notable challenge came from master’s degree programs, which experienced a 1.3% decline, representing a loss of 26,000 students. Doctoral enrollment remained stable, posting a slight increase of 0.3%.  

Graduate enrollment trends varied by institution type: 

• Private for-profit institutions grew 3.8%. 

• Public four-year institutions remained relatively flat. 

• Private nonprofit institutions saw modest declines. 

Hee Sun Kim, Senior Research Associate at the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, added, “These results suggest that while demand for advanced education remains strong in some sectors, traditional graduate pathways, particularly master’s programs, are facing increased competition from alternative credentials and workforce-focused training opportunities.” 

International Graduate Enrollment Declines 

Spring 2026 saw approximately 148,000 international graduate students enrolled nationwide, a 4.3% decline from the previous year. Public four-year institutions experienced the largest drop, with international graduate enrollment falling 9.2%. In contrast, international undergraduate enrollment continued to rise for the third consecutive spring semester, increasing 3.9% this spring. 

Computer Science Enrollment Continues to Cool

One of the most notable academic trends in the report was the continued decline in Computer and Information Sciences enrollment. 

Undergraduate enrollment fell across multiple institution types: 

• Four-year institutions: -8.4% 

• Primarily associate degree-granting baccalaureate institutions (PAB): -9.3% 

• Two-year institutions: -11.2% 

Most major groups within computer science and information technology experienced declines, suggesting that the rapid enrollment growth seen during previous years may be leveling off. 

Health Sciences Surpass One Million Students

While computer science enrollment declined, health-related fields continued to experience strong growth. For the third consecutive year, undergraduate enrollment in Health Professions increased across every credential level and institution type. Growth ranged from 6.0% to 7.1% this spring. Most notably, enrollment in Health Professions at four-year institutions surpassed one million students, reaching 1.05 million.  

Health Professions and Engineering were the two largest contributors to undergraduate four-year enrollment growth this spring, adding approximately: 

• 61,000 Health Professions students 

• 41,000 Engineering students 

The continued expansion reflects sustained demand for healthcare workers and technical talent across the U.S. economy. 

Looking Ahead

“The Spring 2026 enrollment data paints a picture of cautious but steady growth in higher education,” Holsapple shared. “Undergraduate enrollment continues to recover and expand, fueled by public institutions and certificate programs that align closely with learners’ workforce goals.” 

At the same time, graduate education faces new challenges, including declining master’s enrollment and reduced international student participation. Meanwhile, student interest appears to be shifting away from computer science and toward healthcare and engineering fields. 

“As institutions prepare for the next academic year, these trends offer important insights into how student demand, labor market opportunities, and educational pathways continue to reshape the higher education landscape,” concluded Holsapple. 

View the Clearinghouse Enrollment Insights: Final Spring Enrollment Trends Report. 

“These trends reinforce the growing demand for flexible and career-focused educational pathways, especially short-term certificate programs that can help students quickly enter or advance in and their chosen careers.”

Matthew Holsapple
Senior Director of Research, National Student Clearinghouse Research Center