Recession and Completion In Higher Education

Inside Higher Ed reports:

More first-time students enrolled in college in 2008, as the recession was beginning, than in previous years. But a smaller percentage of this group made it to graduation, according to new data the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center released today.

The study draws from a database that tracks 96 percent of the nation’s total enrollment. It is the third annual installment of completion data from the nonprofit center, and the first look at six-year graduation rates for students who entered higher education as the economy soured.


The number of incoming, credential-seeking students in 2008 grew to 2.7 million from 2.4 million, an increase of 12 percent. And the number of first-time students who were at least 21 years old increased by 20 percent.

Ouch.