Preliminary data shows the number of students at universities and colleges in Arkansas has dropped nearly 5 percent since fall 2012, partially due to fewer students enrolling at the state’s two-year colleges.
According to the Arkansas Department of Higher Education, nearly 167,000 students were enrolled at state institutions this fall. In 2012, more than 170,000 students were enrolled.
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports that decreasing enrollment in state colleges and universities is a nationwide trend.
Tom Harnisch, director of state relations and policy analysis at the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, says enrollment has slowly but steadily fallen since the end of the recession, mostly for economic reasons.
Officials are also shifting their focus from enrollment numbers to graduation rates.
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