An article from The Chronicle of Higher Education examines preliminary fall 2026 enrollment trends during the first year of the anticipated demographic cliff. The article references WICHE research projecting a national decline in the number of high school graduates...

An article from Fort Worth Report explores how out-of-state universities are recruiting Texas students and how Tarrant-area institutions are responding to competition. It cites WICHE’s projection of 13% fewer high school graduates nationwide by 2041, while Texas is projected...

An article from Higher Ed Dive examines declining enrollment at Michigan’s public universities, which lost more than 5,200 students in fall 2026. The article highlights how enrollment challenges could intensify as Michigan’s population of high school graduates is projected...

An article from Mountain Home News reports that the University of Idaho’s fall 2026 enrollment declined 0.9% to 12,275 students, while first-to-second-year retention held steady at 77.3%. It also describes differences in enrollment across undergraduate, resident and international student...

An article from Realtor.com examines how a wave of new off-campus student housing construction has left some college markets with excess supply. It reports that more than 31,000 dedicated off-campus bedrooms were delivered in 2026 and that occupancy in...

An article from Idaho Business Review reports that the University of Idaho’s overall enrollment declined slightly for fall 2026, while its College of Law welcomed a record first-year class. It notes that declines among undergraduate and international students contributed...

An article from the American Council of Trustees and Alumni, originally published in The Washington Times, examines whether artificial intelligence is beginning to reduce administrative staffing in higher education. It discusses how enrollment and financial pressures are affecting institutions...

An article from Idaho News reports that the University of Idaho’s fall 2026 enrollment declined 0.9%, to 12,275 students from 12,383 the prior year. View original source.

An article from the Greeneville Sun reports on Maryville College’s enrollment increase during a period of uncertainty in higher education. View original source.

An article from the Greeneville Sun reports that Maryville College’s enrollment increased 4.1% for the 2026–27 academic year, alongside gains in retention and graduation rates. It references WICHE projections that Tennessee’s high school graduate population will grow 15% between...

An opinion article by Dr. Jason Wingard, originally published by Forbes and republished by Yahoo Finance, examines how major philanthropic gifts are increasingly concentrated in select universities rather than spread across institutions facing financial distress. It cites WICHE’s projection...

An article and video from J.P. Morgan explore financial pressures facing higher education leaders and discuss revenue strategies, operational discipline and student outcomes as levers for institutional growth. View original source.

An article from West Central Tribune reports that Minnesota State is weighing mergers, campus closures and program cutbacks amid financial strain, including a reported $33 million deficit. View original source.

An article from the Federation of American Scientists outlines a vision for cooperation among Western states as they navigate the clean-energy transition and work to move beyond economies centered on resource extraction. View original source.

A blog from Instructure discusses colleges’ student-retention challenges and strategies for keeping students enrolled as incoming class sizes shrink. It cites WICHE’s 2024 Knocking at the College Door projections of a 13% decline in U.S. high school graduates from...

An article from the Idaho Statesman examines Boise State University’s 10-year land-use plan and its projection of 9% growth in on-campus enrollment by 2034. It places the university’s outlook against broader enrollment declines and cites WICHE’s projections for higher...

A University of Cincinnati news article highlights record enrollment at UC and growth at several Greater Cincinnati institutions despite national demographic headwinds. It cites WICHE’s projection that the number of high school graduates will decline 13% by 2041. View...

An episode of RHIhub’s Exploring Rural Health Podcast features WICHE’s Tonya Horn and Xiomara Owens discussing how Behavioral Health Aides support an integrated, resilient system of care for rural Alaskans. View original source.

An article from the Las Vegas Sun examines Nevada’s “Take the Credit” campaign, which helps adult learners turn work experience, professional licenses, exams and portfolios into college credit that may transfer across state-system institutions. The program aims to reduce...

A KARE 11 report examines possible campus closures and mergers within Minnesota State as the system responds to financial pressures. WICHE’s Colleen Falkenstern discusses how demographic change is contributing to enrollment challenges, and the report cites WICHE projections that...

An article from The Ithacan examines Ithaca College’s response to missing its Fall 2026 enrollment target, including plans to adjust recruitment and affordability strategies. WICHE’s Knocking at the College Door projections and comments from WICHE’s Colleen Falkenstern are included...

An article from the Chicago Tribune reports that North Central College set an enrollment record for the third consecutive year. It also cites WICHE’s projection that the Midwest’s high school graduate population will decline through 2041. View original source.

An article from The Los Angeles Loyolan reports on Loyola Marymount University’s placement at No. 109 in U.S. News & World Report’s national university rankings. View original source.

An article from Higher Ed Dive explores Sterling College’s closure after years of declining enrollment and efforts to preserve its environmental education legacy through a proposed institute. It cites WICHE projections for Vermont’s high school graduate population. View original...

An article from The Daily Lobo reports on a U.S. Department of Justice lawsuit challenging New Mexico’s tuition and financial-aid eligibility policy for undocumented students. It also notes a student-government resolution supporting the state policy. View original source.

An article from CT Insider explores trends reshaping higher education in Connecticut and nationwide, including rising costs, questions about degree value, enrollment pressures and evolving admissions practices. It cites WICHE projections of a continued decline in high school graduates...

An article from The Setonian examines Seton Hall University’s FY2027 budget and its response to national enrollment decline and financial pressure. The article includes commentary from WICHE’s Patrick Lane and references WICHE research on enrollment trends. View original source.

An article from Arkansas Money & Politics discusses how Arkansas can develop and retain homegrown talent as the nation faces a projected decline in high school graduates. Citing WICHE projections, the article notes that the South is the only...

An article from The Christian Chronicle examines 13 universities affiliated with Churches of Christ and the enrollment challenges they face. It reports that combined first-time freshman enrollment declined 13% from 2000 to 2025 and references WICHE research on the...

An article from the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review examines Allegheny College’s new tuition initiatives, including expanded tuition-free support for some Pennsylvania and Ohio students and a tuition cap for others. The article places the changes in the broader context of college...

An article from Forbes examines how the demographic cliff is affecting colleges unevenly, with some institutions growing while others face enrollment challenges. It discusses how geography, institutional identity, recruitment beyond traditional-age students, workforce-aligned programs and retention strategies may shape...

An opinion article from The Wall Street Journal considers how renewed geopolitical competition could influence U.S. higher education, arguing that colleges and employers may place greater emphasis on national identity, patriotism, and domestic priorities. View original source.

An article from cleveland.com outlines Ohio gubernatorial candidates’ positions on higher education, including affordability and Senate Bill 1, amid broader challenges facing the state’s colleges and universities. View original source.

An article from MoneyLion compares the cost of public four-year college tuition in 1985–86 and 2025–26, highlighting how costs have risen over four decades. It also cites WICHE projections that the number of U.S. high school graduates will decline...

An article from WOWO discusses Michigan colleges’ multimillion-dollar investments in dormitories as schools compete for a shrinking pool of students. View original source.

An article from The Catalyst reports that Colorado College enrolled 490 first-year students—20 below its target—for the third consecutive year, adding to budget pressure tied to enrollment and financial aid. It also cites WICHE’s projection of a 14% decline...

An article from Inside Higher Ed highlights six colleges and universities that reported enrollment gains in fall 2026. It describes strategies including stronger K–12 partnerships, expanded academic programs, targeted recruitment efforts, and initiatives to improve student retention. View original...

An article from the Business Record examines enrollment trends at Iowa’s three public universities, which recorded a slight undergraduate enrollment increase while facing a projected decline in the traditional college-age population. WICHE projections cited in the article estimate Iowa’s...

An article from The Washington Times reports that most U.S. colleges and universities remain test-optional or test-free for the 2026–27 admissions cycle, even as Ivy League schools restore SAT and ACT requirements. The article cites FairTest’s review of institutional...

An article from Higher Ed Dive reports that the University of Utah is considering a 5% to 15% reduction in staff as it prepares for projected enrollment declines and financial pressures. It cites WICHE projections that Utah’s high school...

An article from Alabama Daily News reports Samford University’s record total and freshman enrollment, while discussing demographic changes expected to shape college recruitment. WICHE’s high school graduate projections are cited. View original source.

An article from the New York Post reports that San Francisco State University’s president is set to resign following a steep decline in student enrollment. View original source.

An article from Bridge Michigan examines colleges’ investments in modern residence halls as they compete for fewer college-bound students. WICHE’s projections show Michigan’s high school graduate population is expected to decline by 20% by 2041. View original source.  

An article from Deseret News examines how the decline in U.S. birth rates is affecting schools, colleges, and the future workforce. WICHE’s Patrick Lane discusses how higher education institutions can adapt to a smaller pool of traditional-age students. View...

An article from Axios summarizes the regional impact of a declining pool of high school graduates on higher education institutions. Data from Knocking at the College Door: Projections of High School Graduates is cited. View original source.

An article from the New York Post discusses how two-year vocational programs have become viable alternatives to traditional four-year degrees. Data from Knocking at the College Door: Projections of High School Graduates is cited. View original source.

An article from The Wall Street Journal discusses the impact of a declining pool of high school graduates on higher education in the US. Data from Knocking at the College Door: Projections of High School Graduates is cited. View original source. ($)

An article from the Arizona Daily Sun discusses how declines in student enrollment affect the school’s budget. The Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) is mentioned. View original Source.

An article from the Ste. Genevieve Herald discusses how the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America partnered with North Central Missouri College and the University of Central Missouri to allow current instructors to work towards associate and...

An article from The Christian Science Monitor discusses how the town of Plainfield repurposed the now-closed Goddard College campus as a community cultural hub. Data from Knocking at the College Door: Projections of High School Graduates is cited. View...

An article from The Baylor Line discusses how academic recruitment strategies at American colleges and universities are shifting in the face of changing social attitudes toward the value of a college degree and a shrinking pool of high school...

An article from Inside Tucson Business details how Kassandra Vernon persevered through hardship to become a first-generation college student and cover her tuition with several scholarships. The Western Undergraduate Exchange is mentioned. View original source.

This article from Skolbot discusses the decline in high school graduates across the country and how it will affect different institution types. Data from Knocking at the College Door: Projections of High School Graduates is cited. View original source.

An opinion piece from The PIE about how international student enrollment has shifted from an enrichment strategy to a way to address domestic high school graduation decline. Data from Knocking at the College Door: Projections of High School Graduates is...

An article from The Colorado Sun discusses what strategies Colorado insitutions are utilizing while facing a declining student pool. WICHE Commissioner JB Holston (CO) and Director of Evidence and Strategic Initiatives, Policy Analysis and Research, Colleen Falkenstern, are quoted....

This report by Sarah Glazer from CQ Researcher analyzes the state of current college enrollment, the historical factors that affect it, and weighs the value of higher education in general. Patrick Lane and Van Davis are quoted. View original source.

An article from Inside Higher Ed discusses how the Courseware Lighthouse Implementation Program from Every Learner Everywhere is helping reduce the hurdle of Calculus I for students pursuing a STEM degree. Laura Da Vinci is quoted. View original source.

An article by Real Clear Education argues that American higher education is entering a period of significant restructuring as declining numbers of high school graduates, financial pressures, changing student demographics, and intensified competition for research funding force institutions to redefine their...

An article from Edtech platform Coltie discusses strategies institutions can utilize to engage and retain students. Data from Knocking at the College Door: Projections of High School Graduates is cited. View original source.

An article from the Honolulu Star Advertiser discusses a new law in Hawai’i that establishes a panel to study school closures in the state. Data from Knocking at the College Door: Projections of High School Graduates is cited. View original source....

An article from the Grand Forks Herald discusses how North Dakota institutions are cooperatively developing strategies to manage the falloff of out-of-state learners. Data from Knocking at the College Door: Projections of High School Graduates is cited. View original source.

A report from ReUp Education establishes a baseline for measuring how well state are supporting their adult learner population. Data from Knocking at the College Door: Projections of High School Graduates is cited. View original source.

An op-ed from Psychology Today argues the education model needs revamping in the age of AI. Data from Knocking at the College Door: Projections of High School Graduates is cited. View original source.

An article from Loyola Today discusses how, despite the decreasing rate of high school graduates, Loyola University’s enrollment has grown 70% across the past 10 years. Data from Knocking at the College Door: Projections of High School Graduates is cited. View original...

An article from The Gazette discusses Cornell College’s initiative, ‘Save Your Seat,’ where prospective students could guarantee themselves Cornell-funded aid, priority housing, and preferred first-year seminar placement by applying and submitting an enrollment deposit before a September deadline. This strategy...

An article from Fast Company discusses how AI can enhance enrollment by personalizing assistance with interested college applicants. Data from WICHE’s Knocking at the College Door: Projections of High School Graduates is cited. View original source.

An article from The EDU Ledger reports on how National University is successfully navigating the decreasing high school graduation rates and how other schools around the country are doing the same. Data from WICHE’s Knocking at the College Door: Projections of High...

An article from The Denver Post about how Colorado is expected to see a 12% decline in high school graduates between 2023 and 2041. Data from WICHE’s Knocking at the College Door: Projections of High School Graduates is cited. View original source....

An article from Honolulu Civil Beat about Wai’anae High School’s recent commencement ceremony and the impact a decreasing high school graduation rate will have on Hawai’i in the future. Data from WICHE’s Knocking at the College Door: Projections of High School...

An article from Chron about how The University of Texas at Arlington is reorganizing some of its program offerings amidst demographic and economic shifts. Data from WICHE’s Knocking at the College Door: Projections of High School Graduates is cited. View original source here.

An article from the BlackRock Advisor Center about how uncertain funding sources to universities impact active municipal investers. Data from WICHE’s Knocking at the College Door: Projections of High School Graduates is cited. View original source here.

An article from The Pillar about Catholic colleges and how they are preparing for the decreasing rate of high school graduates. Data from WICHE’s Knocking at the College Door: Projections of High School Graduates is cited. View the original source...

An article from U.S. News and World Report lists the Western Undergraduate Exchange as one possible avenue for tuition savings. View original source here.

An article from the Concord Monitor cites graduation data from WICHE’s Knocking at the College Door: Projections of High School Graduates while discussing how the University of New Hampshire, New England College, and Colby-Sawyer College have seen an increase in first-year...

An article from The Queen Zone cites high school graduation data from WICHE’s Knocking at the College Door: Projections of High School Graduates in its discussion of multiple factors influencing college closures. View original source here.

An article from The Oakdale Leader cites demographic data from WICHE’s Knocking at the College Door: Projections of High School Graduates while discussing notable figures regarding high school graduation in the United States. View the original source here.

A report from the National Conference of State Legislators cites data fromWICHE’s Knocking at the College Door: Projections of High School Graduates while discussing the impacts of shifting demographies, policy issues, and state economic landscapes on funding higher education at the...

An article from The Chronicle of Higher Education where WICHE Vice President, Policy Analysis and Research, Patrick Lane, is quoted alongside data from WICHE’s Knocking at the College Door: Projections of High School Graduates to discuss the impact of graduation...

An article from The Inside Press about hosting the best graduation party. Data from WICHE’s Knocking at the College Door: Projections of High School Graduates is cited. View originial source here.

A report by The American Enterprise Institute discusses cases for expanding state-level tuition recovery funds to the federal level. WICHE’s Knocking at the College Door: Projections of High School Graduates is cited. View original source here.

An article from Boise State News on Hans Aagard with the Boise State University eCampus Center, and Greg Wilson, assistant dean at the College of Western Idaho School of Arts and Humanities, presenting their research on “z-degrees” at the...

An article from Cody Enterprise where Lisa Watson and Shelby Wetzel, president and executive director of the Northwest College (NWC) Foundation, discuss how NWC and the NWC Foundation are going to cover the cost associated with the tuition increase recently...

An article from Floor Daily on how higher education interiors are being utilized as recruiting and retention tools amidst demographic pressure. WICHE’s Knocking at the College Door: Projections of High School Graduates is cited. View original source.

An article from The Argonaut on how the Western Undergraduate Exchange has impacted the University of Idaho’s enrollment growth. View original source.

An article from The NAU Review reports on Northern Arizona University joining the Western Regional Graduate Program, which will launch in Fall 2026. The Western Undergraduate Exchange is also mentioned. View original source.