When I was an economics reporter, certain indicators were important to track, like housing starts. They told you where the whole economy was heading, not just the sheetrock or real estate markets. I’d like to argue that college enrollment data -- exactly how many students are in college -- should become an indicator that everyone should keep an eye on, not just higher education bureaucrats. This data gives us a glimpse into how many low-income families may rise out of poverty in the future and also our nation’s long-term economic growth.  

The National Student Clearinghouse Research Center launched a new monthly report this year called “Stay Informed,” which counts every college student in America. The most recent October 15, 2020 report tallied fall enrollment figures from just over half of the nation’s colleges and universities, and there are troubling signs ahead.

• The number of undergraduate students has fallen 4 percent since the fall of 2019. That’s an estimated 600,000 fewer college students nationwide. Most of the exodus is taking place at two-year community colleges. 

• Fewer new students, as opposed to returning students, are responsible for more than two-thirds of empty seats on campus.  

• Online colleges are seeing a 7 percent surge in enrollments. (Enrollments are also up 3 percent at for-profit colleges, which tend to teach online.) 

• The decline in white students now matches the decline in Black students: both are down 8 percent.  

• Gender divide. The number of male students has dropped by more than three times as much as female students (down 6 percent vs. down 2 percent.)