×
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...
Boise State plans to grow as colleges brace for decline. Where will it build?
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...
October 08, 2026
Defying the demographic cliff: UC, other area universities and colleges grow enrollment
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...
October 07, 2026
Minnesota State may close campuses, merge schools in effort to ‘right-size’
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...
September 25, 2026