U.S. universities have not fully overcome the shock of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), a study shows.
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on the 20th that, citing the non-profit National Center for Student Information Processing Research (NSCRC), the number of enrolled students at all U.S. universities this year decreased by 1.1% compared to a year ago.
In 2020, when the COVID-19 outbreak occurred, the total number of students decreased by 4%, including a 16.1% drop in the number of new students.
The fact that classes were not held normally due to quarantine and the fear of infection on campus were analyzed as the reasons for the decrease in the number of students.
Another reason was cited as the reason for the increase in the number of households whose college tuition was burdensome due to the economic blow caused by COVID-19.
The decline in enrollment is more pronounced at lower-middle-ranking universities in the Midwest or Northeast of the United States.
Universities classified as prestigious universities did not suffer much damage.
Online colleges and black colleges have increased the number of enrolled students.
The number of enrolled students at online universities increased by 3.2% compared to a year ago. It was found that 18–20-year-olds actively enroll in online universities.
At Western Governors University, where 200,000 students take online courses, 18–24-year-olds accounted for only 6% of students five years ago, but this year it has risen to 11%.
Scott Persifer, president of Western Governors University, said that the practicality of getting a lot out of cheap tuition has increased young people’s interest in online colleges.