A preliminary survey of Oklahoma’s higher education institutions shows that college enrollment has fallen roughly two percent in fall 2021, when compared to fall 2020.
The figures come from a preliminary report given to Oklahoma’s State Regents for Higher Education last week. The number of college students enrolled at Oklahoma institutions fell by 3,825, from 182,332 to 178,507.
Regional and community colleges have borne the brunt of the drop, losing almost five percent of student enrollment. The University of Central Oklahoma, East Central University and Northeastern State University each lost hundreds of students. So did Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City, Tulsa Community College and Oklahoma City Community College.
The University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University each grew by more than 200 students.
The overall losses reflect a broader national trend. Last week, the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center announced preliminary enrollment data it collected for fall 2021 show college enrollment had dropped by 500,000 students total this fall.
There is some good news in Oklahoma, though — first-time students enrolling in college this fall actually rose by one percent.
