Indiana College Enrollment Down, But Students Are Better Prepared Overall

The Indiana Commission for Higher Education's 2019 College Readiness Report gives some insight on higher education trends in the Hoosier state.

(Indianapolis, Ind.) - A new report indicates fewer Indiana students are heading to college, but more of them are at least ready for college.

The Indiana Commission for Higher Education’s 2019 College Readiness Report found 63 percent of all Indiana high school graduates go directly to college. That’s down from 65 percent in 2017. It is also below the national average of 67 percent.

There is some good news in the report, however, as fewer college-age students need remediation and more high schoolers are receiving early college credit, including Advanced Placement (AP) and dual credit.

“While we understand that people are benefiting from a strong economy and job opportunities, we must continue to make a case for a quality degree or credential to ensure that Hoosiers are prepared for a dynamic economy,” said Indiana Commissioner for Higher Education Teresa Lubbers. “Despite slightly lower college-going rates, we are encouraged that more Hoosiers are prepared for college success.”

Lubbers said the decline in enrollment in recent years is affecting higher education, and declining birth rates will continue to impact enrollment patterns in the future.

Other key findings in the commission’s report:

• 53 percent of all Core 40 diploma earners enroll directly in college after high school, compared to 93 percent of students with an Honors diploma and only 18 percent of general diploma earners.
• 64 percent of high school students earned early college credit, a 17 percentage point increase from five years ago.
• Among Indiana’s 2017 high school graduates who continued education after high school, 69 percent pursued a bachelor’s degree, 28 percent an associates degree, and three percent enrolled in a certificate or other award program.
• Overall, 86 percent of 21st Century Scholars go directly to college after high school, compared to 39 percent of low-income non-Scholars and 68 percent of higher-income students.
• Rural students are less likely to go to college than their peers in non-rural areas, 64 percent from non-rural areas compared to 59 percent from rural areas.
• Female students are more likely to attend college than male students, continuing a five-year enrollment trend. Of 2017 high school graduates, 69 percent of female students pursued higher education compared to 57 percent of males.
• Among 2017 high school graduates, 88 percent of students did not need remediation in college, an improvement of 16 percentage points in five years. Math was the most-needed remediation subject.
• 75 percent of all Indiana college students at either a two-year or four-year program continued seeking their degree into at least their second year.

For a summary of the 2019 College Readiness Report, click here (PDF).