The state’s College Enrollment Figures are Declining

First reported by the Indiana Capital Chronicle

STATEWIDE – Indiana’s college enrollment has reached a historic low.

Only 51.7% of the state’s 2023 high school graduating class enrolled in higher education within a year, marking the lowest rate in recent history. This figure is down from 53% just a few years prior, and a significant drop from the state’s peak of 65% a decade ago.

Experts warn that this sustained decline could have substantial long-term impacts on Indiana’s workforce and economic competitiveness. Concerns are being raised about the availability of skilled labor and the state’s capacity for innovation if fewer residents pursue post secondary education.

Officials and analysts are pointing to various contributing factors, including challenges with financial aid access and a shifting public perception of the value of a college degree.

The release of these 2023 enrollment numbers comes just six months after the Indiana State Board of Education approved sweeping changes to the state’s high school diploma. Set to take effect statewide in 2029, these new requirements emphasize work-based learning and career readiness more heavily than traditional college preparation.

This strategic shift aims to better align high school outcomes with the needs of the modern workforce, though its long-term effects on college enrollment remain to be seen.

The ongoing conversation among educators, policymakers, and community leaders now centers on how to address this declining college-going rate and ensure Indiana’s future economic prosperity.