U.S. college enrollment increased by 1% in Fall 2025 compared to the previous year, according to data from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. This translates to a nationwide gain of 187,000 students.
The largest increases in total enrollment were seen in the West with a 4.6% rise and the South with a 4.3% rise. The Midwest reported a 3.2% increase, while the Northeast experienced a smaller gain of 2.4%.
Most of the overall growth was due to higher enrollments at community colleges, which rose by 3%, and public four-year colleges and universities, which saw an increase of 1.4%. Enrollment for short-term credentials also grew by 1.9% for undergraduate certificate programs.
In contrast, private institutions faced declines nationwide: enrollment at four-year private nonprofits dropped by 1.6%, and four-year for-profit institutions saw a decrease of 2%. Graduate enrollment fell slightly by 0.3%, mainly because international student numbers in these programs dropped by nearly 6%.
New Jersey reported total undergraduate and graduate enrollment at 355,466 students for Fall 2025—a decline of 3.1% from the previous year. This was primarily due to a significant drop—15.4%—in enrollment at four-year private nonprofit institutions within the state.
Community college enrollment in New Jersey decreased by almost 2%, while public four-year colleges experienced a modest increase of less than one percent.
The New Jersey Business and Industry Association (NJBIA) is based in Trenton and serves as the largest statewide employer organization in the nation, representing employers across sectors such as manufacturing, retail, wholesale, contracting, and services (source). Established in February 1910 as the New Jersey Manufacturers Association before broadening its membership and changing its name in the mid-1970s (source), NJBIA provides advocacy and resources to support business prosperity (source). Michele Siekerka currently serves as president and chief executive officer (source). The association also fosters partnerships among businesses, government entities, and academic institutions (source).
