The latest projections from the U.S. Department of Education show postsecondary enrollment in the next decade will grow by 15 percent, a much slower rate than from 1996 to 2010 when there was a 46 percent increase in students going to college.
The National Center for Education Statistics released the projections last week.
The new report anticipates a 21 percent boost in the number of associate degrees awarded and a 21 percent increase in bachelor’s degrees by 2021-22.
A similar drop-off is projected at the high school level, according to the report. While the number of high school graduates increased nationally by 28 percent between 1996-97 and 2008-09, total graduates are expected to climb by just 2 percent by 2021-22.
