Four years after the COVID-19 pandemic, there are 900,000 fewer students enrolled in college than before the pandemic. Experts say this is due to growing worries over rising costs and large student loan balances that are causing more high schoolers to make alternative plans post-high school graduation.
Roughly half (49%) of high schoolers believe a high school degree, trade program, two-year degree or other type of enrichment program is the highest level of education needed for their anticipated career path. Separately, 56% believe that the real world and on-the-job experience is more beneficial than obtaining a higher education degree.