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Watch the Webcast Recording of the 11th Edition Knocking at the College Door Release
For many years, demographers have warned that the number of high school graduates would peak then decline, adding new pressure to postsecondary enrollments facing the proverbial “cliff.” As predicted, the United States next year will reach its highest peak ever for high school graduates and then enter a period of slow and steady decline, according to the 11th edition of Knocking at the College Door, which was released December 11, 2024. Read the press release.
Related Topics in Higher Education
Media Mentions
Featured Media Mention | November 02, 2026
As courting students gets tougher, colleges vie to make the admissions process friendlier
An article from The Hechinger Report explores how colleges and universities are making their admissions processes more welcoming and accessible as competition for prospective students increases. The article cites WICHE projections that the number of high school graduates nationwide...
Michigan colleges spend big on dorms as enrollments sag. Big draw or big waste?
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.
September 08, 2026
The demographic cliff is here
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...
August 31, 2026
America’s College Enrollment Map is Being Redrawn
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.
August 22, 2026