Nebraska institutions outperform the nation in fall 2020 enrollments

Overall fall 2020 enrollments in Nebraska colleges and universities held mostly steady, with a slight decrease in undergraduate enrollment and a slight increase in graduate enrollments, though changes vary by campus and institution.  As in other states, Nebraska’s community colleges saw the largest declines in enrollment with a 5.6% decline overall.  That compares with a 9.5% decrease in community college enrollment nationwide, as reported by the National Student Clearinghouse.  Other sectors – the University of Nebraska, the Nebraska State Colleges, and Nebraska’s independent colleges and universities -- experienced flat or slight increases in undergraduate enrollment.  All three four-year sectors experienced increases in graduate enrollment, yielding a 4.7% increase statewide.  Nebraska institutions performed considerably better than institutions nationwide enrolling first-time freshmen.   Enrollment of first-time freshmen at Nebraska community colleges declined 2.6%, compared to an estimated 18.9% decline nationally.  The University of Nebraska and Nebraska State Colleges experienced 1.9% and 1.1% increases, respectively, compared to a 10.5% decline nationally.  Enrollment of first-time students at independent colleges and universities increased 3% compared to an 8.5% decline nationwide.  Overall, first-time enrollments increased by .7%.  Details can be found here.