In this Chronicle of Higher Education article, Audrey Williams June reports on a recent study of why high-school graduates aged 18-30 dropped out of 2- or 4-year colleges – or never enrolled. Here’s what 1,675 respondents from seven states told the researchers:
- Too expensive/didn’t want to take on (more) debt – 38%
- Too stressful – 27%
- More important to get a job and make money – 26%
- Unsure about major/future career – 25%
- Not worth the money – 21%
- Family obligations – 19%
- Did not enjoy going to school – 18%
- Unsure how to pick the right classes – 16%
- Can get the skills and credentials elsewhere – 16%
- Covid/didn’t want to take virtual classes – 14%
It’s striking that one in five questioned the value of higher education. Almost half said they’d taken courses on YouTube and were looking for on-the-job training and courses that led to a license or certificate.
Researchers asked what it would take to persuade these young people to enroll in college. At the top of the list, cited by around three-quarters: flexible programs to fit with their lives; financial advice so they wouldn’t have to take on additional debt; job counseling to steer them to courses that would lead to gainful employment; preparation for job interviews; and a chance to get real-world experience.
“Why Some High-School Grads Say No to College” by Audrey Williams June in The Chronicle of Higher Education, October 14, 2022 (Vol. 69, #4, p. 12); the full study, “Exploring the Exodus from Higher Education” from Edge Research, is available here.