NACAC Survey Finds More Students Forgoing Dream Schools in Favor of Affordability
June 9, 2009 (Arlington, VA) – A majority (70%) of high schools reported an increase in the number of students who felt the need to modify their ambitions and choose more affordable options over their “dream schools.” The reverberations of a shaky economy were also felt on the college side, as 45% of colleges reported a decrease in the number of students accepting admission offers, also known as yield rates in the admission office, compared to 2008. The survey also found that 35% of the reporting colleges experienced budget cuts.
The 2008-2009 college admission cycle took place during a period of heightened economic uncertainty. Concerns over potential budget cuts, and unpredictable yield rates inspired NACAC to survey its high school and college membership for an evaluation of the admissions climate.
“The potential effects of the economy loomed large over this admission cycle,” stated Joyce Smith, NACAC Chief Executive Officer. “It appears that students and families were more concerned about cost, and plans about whether or where to enroll were changed as a result. The colleges’ experience this year is more difficult to generalize, though budget cuts and declining yield rates are indicative of a tougher year at many institutions.”
See below for a snapshot of the survey or view the full summary of results.
High School Survey
* Nearly three-fourths of high schools reported an increase in the number of students foregoing their “dream schools” in favor of more affordable options
* Overall, around one-third of all high schools reported budget cuts in the 2008-09 school year
* Nearly 60 percent of respondents indicated an increase in the number of students planning to enroll in public versus private colleges in Fall 2009
College Survey
* A majority of institutions reported increases for each of the following: inquiries (62 percent); total applications (62 percent); Early Decision applications (51 percent); Early Action applications (68 percent).
* Forty-five percent of respondents reported a decrease in their 2009 May 1 yield rates as compared to 2008
* About 35 percent of postsecondary institutions experienced budget cuts and 15 percent experienced staff cuts to the admission department during the 2008-09 academic year
About NACAC
NACAC is an Arlington, VA-based education association of more than 11,000 secondary school counselors, independent counselors, college admission and financial aid officers, enrollment managers, and organizations that work with students as they make the transition from high school to postsecondary education. The association, founded in 1937, is committed to maintaining high standards that foster ethical and social responsibility among those involved in the transition process, as outlined in the NACAC Statement of Principles of Good Practice.
Brad Asbury,
Access college Foundation
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
The true value of a collge education.
The escalating cost of higher education is causing many to question the value of continuing education beyond high school. Many wonder whether the high cost of tuition, the opportunity cost of choosing college over full-time employment, and the accumulation of thousands of dollars of debt is, in the long run, worth the investment. The risk is especially large for low-income families who have a difficult time making ends meet without the additional burden of college tuition
and fees.
In order to determine whether higher education is worth the investment, it is useful to examine what is known about the value of higher education and the rates of return on investment to both the individual and to society.
THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF HIGHER EDUCATION
There is considerable support for the notion that the rate of return on
investment in higher education is high enough to warrant the financial burden associated with pursuing a college degree. Though the earnings differential between college and high school graduates varies over time, college graduates, on average, earn more than high school graduates. According to the Census Bureau, over an adult's working life, high school graduates earn an average of $1.2 million; associate's degree holders earn about $1.6 million; and bachelor's degree holders earn about $2.1 million (Day and Newburger, 2002).
These sizeable differences in lifetime earnings put the costs of college study in realistic perspective. Most students today-- about 80 percent of all students--enroll either in public 4-year colleges or in public 2-year colleges. According to the U.S. Department of Education report, Think College Early, a full-time student at a public 4-year college pays an average of $8,655 for in-state tuition, room and board (U.S. Dept. of Education, 2002). A full-time student in a public 2-year college pays an average of $1,359 per year in tuition (U.S. Dept. of Education, 2002).
These statistics support the contention that, though the cost of higher education is significant, given the earnings disparity that exists between those who earn a bachelor's degree and those who do not, the individual rate of return on investment in higher education is sufficiently high to warrant the cost.
OTHER BENEFITS OF HIGHER EDUCATION
College graduates also enjoy benefits beyond increased income. A 1998 report published by the Institute for Higher Education Policy reviews the individual benefits that college graduates enjoy, including higher levels of saving, increased personal/professional mobility, improved quality of life for their offspring, better consumer decision making, and more hobbies and leisure activities (Institute for Higher Education Policy, 1998). According to a report published by the Carnegie Foundation, non-monetary individual benefits of higher
education include the tendency for postsecondary students to become more open-minded, more cultured, more rational, more consistent and less authoritarian; these benefits are also passed along to succeeding generations (Rowley and Hurtado, 2002). Additionally, college attendance has been shown to "decrease prejudice, enhance knowledge of world affairs and enhance social status" while increasing economic and job security for those who earn bachelor's degrees (Ibid.)
Research has also consistently shown a positive correlation between completion of higher education and good health, not only for oneself, but also for one's children. In fact, "parental schooling levels (after controlling for differences in earnings) are positively correlated with the health status of their children" and "increased schooling (and higher relative income) are correlated with lower mortality rates for given age brackets".
Brad Asbury,
Access College Fouyndation
and fees.
In order to determine whether higher education is worth the investment, it is useful to examine what is known about the value of higher education and the rates of return on investment to both the individual and to society.
THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF HIGHER EDUCATION
There is considerable support for the notion that the rate of return on
investment in higher education is high enough to warrant the financial burden associated with pursuing a college degree. Though the earnings differential between college and high school graduates varies over time, college graduates, on average, earn more than high school graduates. According to the Census Bureau, over an adult's working life, high school graduates earn an average of $1.2 million; associate's degree holders earn about $1.6 million; and bachelor's degree holders earn about $2.1 million (Day and Newburger, 2002).
These sizeable differences in lifetime earnings put the costs of college study in realistic perspective. Most students today-- about 80 percent of all students--enroll either in public 4-year colleges or in public 2-year colleges. According to the U.S. Department of Education report, Think College Early, a full-time student at a public 4-year college pays an average of $8,655 for in-state tuition, room and board (U.S. Dept. of Education, 2002). A full-time student in a public 2-year college pays an average of $1,359 per year in tuition (U.S. Dept. of Education, 2002).
These statistics support the contention that, though the cost of higher education is significant, given the earnings disparity that exists between those who earn a bachelor's degree and those who do not, the individual rate of return on investment in higher education is sufficiently high to warrant the cost.
OTHER BENEFITS OF HIGHER EDUCATION
College graduates also enjoy benefits beyond increased income. A 1998 report published by the Institute for Higher Education Policy reviews the individual benefits that college graduates enjoy, including higher levels of saving, increased personal/professional mobility, improved quality of life for their offspring, better consumer decision making, and more hobbies and leisure activities (Institute for Higher Education Policy, 1998). According to a report published by the Carnegie Foundation, non-monetary individual benefits of higher
education include the tendency for postsecondary students to become more open-minded, more cultured, more rational, more consistent and less authoritarian; these benefits are also passed along to succeeding generations (Rowley and Hurtado, 2002). Additionally, college attendance has been shown to "decrease prejudice, enhance knowledge of world affairs and enhance social status" while increasing economic and job security for those who earn bachelor's degrees (Ibid.)
Research has also consistently shown a positive correlation between completion of higher education and good health, not only for oneself, but also for one's children. In fact, "parental schooling levels (after controlling for differences in earnings) are positively correlated with the health status of their children" and "increased schooling (and higher relative income) are correlated with lower mortality rates for given age brackets".
Brad Asbury,
Access College Fouyndation
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
College Rankings and College Selection
What do college rankings have to do with it anyway?
It is about this time of the year when colleges are ranked and students and their families sit up and take notice once again of the highest ranked schools in the nation. The comparisons are based on numbers reported by the colleges which tell just part of the story. As you know, choosing a college is lot more than just numbers and statistics.
Take a moment this year to forget about rankings and look at colleges in terms of what is best fit for the student. That best fit college will be THE best college for the student regardless of any ranking by popular press.
How do you begin to choose a college?
To begin, students should take the time to contact schools of interest by writing them a letter to ask for more information about the college. Not only will you be able to find out more about a college, the college will also notice you! Colleges love when students show interest in their college.
Now begin some real research into the colleges that interest the student the most based on their needs and personality. Here is where some of the numbers colleges provide are quite useful. The four and six year graduation rates are very important numbers. The graduation rates indicate the percentage of students who graduate in four and in six years. Those schools with higher four year graduation rates are more apt to get your student out of college in four years. Another number that is quite important is how much merit-based aid the school averages per student or how much of the financial aid package consists of merit-based aid. Review the strength of the academic programs at each school and research other aspects of campus that are important to the student such as location, groups and associations, and class size.
Don’t buy before you try!
When you have a list of schools narrowed down, go to visit the campus. Go on the campus tour but also set up appointments with Admissions, Financial Aid, Professors, and perhaps with current students. During your visit specify why you want to attend that college and come with a prepared list of questions. Anytime you visit a campus, be sure to notify the Admissions staff. They like to keep track of interested students and it could make a difference at admissions time.
Time to decide.
Choose carefully because college is a major investment in many ways. With all investments, you expect a big return, so choose a college which will yield the biggest returns in experiences, job placement, and career success. Base decisions on the best interest of the student and their career goals, not where their friends are attending or which college is closest to home. At this point, it may be time to go back and visit the campus again to make sure there is a great fit. When all is said and done, the college you select will be the best college for you.
Brad Asbury
Access College Foundation
basburycsa@yahoo.com
It is about this time of the year when colleges are ranked and students and their families sit up and take notice once again of the highest ranked schools in the nation. The comparisons are based on numbers reported by the colleges which tell just part of the story. As you know, choosing a college is lot more than just numbers and statistics.
Take a moment this year to forget about rankings and look at colleges in terms of what is best fit for the student. That best fit college will be THE best college for the student regardless of any ranking by popular press.
How do you begin to choose a college?
To begin, students should take the time to contact schools of interest by writing them a letter to ask for more information about the college. Not only will you be able to find out more about a college, the college will also notice you! Colleges love when students show interest in their college.
Now begin some real research into the colleges that interest the student the most based on their needs and personality. Here is where some of the numbers colleges provide are quite useful. The four and six year graduation rates are very important numbers. The graduation rates indicate the percentage of students who graduate in four and in six years. Those schools with higher four year graduation rates are more apt to get your student out of college in four years. Another number that is quite important is how much merit-based aid the school averages per student or how much of the financial aid package consists of merit-based aid. Review the strength of the academic programs at each school and research other aspects of campus that are important to the student such as location, groups and associations, and class size.
Don’t buy before you try!
When you have a list of schools narrowed down, go to visit the campus. Go on the campus tour but also set up appointments with Admissions, Financial Aid, Professors, and perhaps with current students. During your visit specify why you want to attend that college and come with a prepared list of questions. Anytime you visit a campus, be sure to notify the Admissions staff. They like to keep track of interested students and it could make a difference at admissions time.
Time to decide.
Choose carefully because college is a major investment in many ways. With all investments, you expect a big return, so choose a college which will yield the biggest returns in experiences, job placement, and career success. Base decisions on the best interest of the student and their career goals, not where their friends are attending or which college is closest to home. At this point, it may be time to go back and visit the campus again to make sure there is a great fit. When all is said and done, the college you select will be the best college for you.
Brad Asbury
Access College Foundation
basburycsa@yahoo.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
