For years, concerns over rising college costs and student loan debt have been driving some high schoolers away from a four-year degree in favor of shorter, less expensive alternatives.
Now it’s clear that students are putting more emphasis on career training and post-college employment, as more opt for a two-year degree or even shorter-term credentials.
The overall rate of high school graduates choosing to enroll in community college and short-term credentialing programs is rising, according to a new report from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.
Enrollments in undergraduate certificate and associate degree programs both grew by about 2% in fall 2025, while enrollment in bachelor’s degree programs rose by less than 1%, the report found. Community colleges now enroll 752,000 students in undergraduate certificate programs — a 28% jump from just four years ago.
Overall, undergraduate enrollment growth was fueled by more students choosing to attend community college, the report found. “Community colleges led this year with a 3% increase, driven by continued rising interest in those shorter job-aligned certificate programs,” said Matthew Holsapple, the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center’s senior director of research.
