INDIANA – New data from the Indiana Commission for Higher Education reveal a significant decline in college enrollment among recent Indiana high school graduates. Less than 52 percent of the Class of 2023 pursued higher education within a year of graduating, marking a substantial drop from the state’s peak enrollment of 65 percent a decade ago.
According to the Commission, approximately 39,000 students from the Class of 2023 began college within the year following their graduation. Of these, 36 percent enrolled in a public four-year institution within Indiana, while eight percent chose private colleges or universities in the state. An additional 7.6 percent opted to attend classes outside of Indiana.
This trend highlights a growing concern among state officials and educators, as Indiana seeks to strengthen its skilled workforce and educational attainment levels. The reasons behind the decline are likely multifaceted. They could include factors such as rising tuition costs, a strong job market for non-degree roles, and changing perceptions of the value of a traditional four-year degree.
Further analysis is expected to delve into the underlying causes of this shift and potential strategies to encourage more Indiana high school graduates to pursue post-secondary education.
