Section 2. Enrollment in Degree-Granting Institutions: Introduction

Total enrollment in degree-granting institutions is expected to increase between fall 2007, the last year of actual data, and fall 2018. Degree-granting institutions are postsecondary institutions that provide study beyond secondary school and offer programs terminating in an associate’s, baccalaureate, or higher degree and participate in federal financial aid programs. Differential growth is expected by student characteristics such as age, sex, and attendance status (part-time or full-time). Enrollment is expected to increase in both public and private degree-granting institutions.

Factors affecting the projections

Changes in age-specific enrollment rates and college-age populations will affect enrollment levels between 2007 and 2018. An important factor is the expected increase in the population of 25-to 29-year-olds (reference figure 8 and appendix table B-4).

Three alternative sets of projections

Middle, low, and high sets of projections were made for total enrollment in degree-granting institutions and for enrollment by age, sex, attendance status, level (undergraduate, graduate, or first-professional), and control of institution.