Correction: The enrollment numbers in this story have been updated to accurately reflect the data from the National Center for Education Statistics. The original source of the data provided incorrect statistics.
DENVER (KDVR) — The state of society in the United States seems to be wearing on the nation’s college students.
According to a Gallup poll, one-third of the nation’s college students are considering withdrawing from their studies.
Emotional stress was the single largest reason for considering withdrawal. Of students enrolled in a bachelor’s program, 76% cited this as a main reason, nearly twice the number that said they were emotionally distressed a year ago.
COVID-19, cost of attendance and the difficulty of schoolwork were the next most likely reasons. One-third of students considering withdrawal cited one of these as a main cause.
In Colorado, students went beyond just considering withdrawing through the pandemic and actually did so. The National Center for Education Statistics’ Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System tracks the numbers.
The state’s three largest university systems, combined, saw enrollment fall by 2.7% in the fall of 2020. University of Colorado, Colorado Springs students dropped by 3%, while the University of Northern Colorado’s dropped 11%, according to university records.
Enrollment numbers have recovered since then – statewide 2021 enrollment only fell by 1%.