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Teens are losing faith in college, giving rise to interest in the skilled trades
Four years after the Covid pandemic began, there are more than 900,000 fewer undergraduates enrolled in college.
The overall rate of high school graduates choosing to enroll in college held steady in 2023, compared to a year earlier, according to a recent report from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center — which Doug Shapiro, the Center’s executive director, said was “an optimistic sign.” Although the data shows the rate of high school graduates enrolling within a year of their graduation is significantly higher for students from low poverty high schools.
“Large and widening gaps for low-income students continue to be a cause for concern,” Shapiro said.
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Increasingly, worries over rising costs and large student loan balances are causing some high schoolers to make alternative plans after high school, a separate report by Junior Achievement and Citizens found. Junior Achievement and Citizen polled 1,000 teenagers between the ages of 13 and 18 in July.
Roughly half, or 49%, believe a high school degree, trade program, two-year degree or other type of enrichment program is the highest level of education needed for their anticipated career path.
Even more, 56%, believe that real world and on-the-job experience is more beneficial than obtaining a higher education degree.
“Teens are starting to get a clearer idea, if they are not going to go the college route, of what the alternatives might be,” said Ed Grocholski, chief marketing officer at Junior Achievement. Advancements in artificial intelligence and technology training have also helped change the equation for some young people, Junior Achievement found.
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