Projections of Postsecondary Education Statistics to 2026

By Jael Greene

The National Center for Education Statistics recently released a report titled Projections of Education Statistics to 2026. The report includes statistics on enrollment in postsecondary institutions and degrees conferred based on student age, sex, race/ethnicity, enrollment status, and enrollment level. [1]

Findings included:

• By 2026, total enrollment in degree-granting postsecondary institutions is projected to rise 13%.
• Enrollment projections between 2015 and 2026 varied by age of students.
  • Enrollment for students aged 18 to 24 years old is expected to rise 17%.
  • Enrollment for students aged 25 to 34 years old is expected to rise 11%.
  • Enrollment for students aged 35 and older is expected to rise 4%.
• Enrollment projections also varied by gender.
  • Male students are expected to have an 11% increase in enrollment
  • Enrollment of female students is projected to increase 15%.
• Enrollment projections for students also varied by race/ethnicity.
  • Enrollment is expected to increase at much higher rates for Black students (20%), Hispanic students (26%), and students of two or more races (37%) compared to white students (1%), American Indian/Alaska Native students (3%), and Asian/Pacific Islander students (12%).
• Enrollment for full-time students is expected to rise 12% and enrollment for part-time students is expected to increase 15%.
• Enrollment of undergraduate students is expected to increase 14%, while enrollment of graduate students is expected to increase 12%.
• The report also analyzed projections of degree conferment.
  • Associate’s degrees are expected to increase 27%, while bachelor’s degrees are expected to increase 10%.
  • Master’s degrees are expected to increase 22%, while doctorates are expected to increase 13%.

[1] Unless otherwise noted enrollment data compares Fall 2015 to projections in Fall 2026, while degree conferment data compares the 2014-15 school year to the 2026-27 school year.