The increasing impact of economic conditions upon higher education enrollments

The effects of economic conditions upon higher education enrollments are specified nationally, regionally, and for an individual institution. It appears clear that since the early 1970s, about the time when studies began to report on the declining value of a college education, and when nontraditional students became a more significant factor in overall enrollments, potential students became much more sensitive to the opportunity costs of college attendance. As job opportunities increased, foregone earnings grew correspondingly, and enrollments turned down. Economic reversals were accompanied by enrollment upturns. Implications of this study for enrollment projections and planning are clear.