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Community colleges continue to see a drop in academic staffing

Dec 21, 2022
It's often hard for community colleges to recruit instructors because of competition from other job opportunities that pay more.
Community colleges often compete for faculty with four-year universities, which usually can offer higher wages, lighter teaching workloads and more full-time jobs. 
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Foreign students — who often pay full tuition — are returning to U.S. colleges and universities

Nov 16, 2022
International students are more likely to pay sticker price for a degree.
Students abroad frequently seek out higher education in the  U.S. And American colleges are seeking them out, too.
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Skilled trade programs are having a moment

Nov 8, 2022
College enrollment dropped significantly during the pandemic. One exception: skilled trade programs, which saw growth this year.
Jonathan Ellis says he chose a diesel and heavy equipment certificate "because when COVID happened, there weren't as many cars on the road, but the number of trucks on the road stayed the same.” Above, he replaces the brakes on a truck.
Stephanie Hughes/Marketplace

How colleges can adapt to a shape-shifting economy, with Rice University’s new president

Marketplace's David Brancaccio checked in with Reginald DesRoches, Rice's new President who took the reins in July.
Reginald DesRoches (right), Rice University's  president, spoke David Brancaccio (left) about the benefits of attending college and the university's focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Erika Soderstrom / Marketplace

With Roe v. Wade overturned, colleges prep to provide abortion medication

Oct 10, 2022
Distributing abortion medication requires resources that some schools may not have.
Barnard College announced last week that it'll start providing medication abortions next fall, joining a number of higher-education institutions.
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“We are becoming extinct”: Women's colleges go coed to bring in students

Sep 27, 2022
Notre Dame of Maryland University made the decision to admit male undergraduates next fall to boost enrollment.
Freshmen Caitlin Cottrill, left, and Tatum Capinpin are considering transferring from Notre Dame of Maryland. The school announced earlier this month it’ll be accepting men next fall.
Stephanie Hughes/Marketplace

Automatic college admissions can be a boon to students and schools alike

Aug 15, 2022
More schools are willing to say: If your grades (and maybe test scores) are good enough, you're in!
Some colleges are opting for a direct admissions approach to accepting students — no college applications required.
Melissa Sue Gerrits/Getty Images

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What role should college rankings play in choosing a school?

Jul 13, 2022
The rankings created by U.S. News have become very influential, but critics say prospective students should do more research.
The Columbia University campus in New York City. Last week, U.S. News & World Report said it was removing the school from its influential college rankings because of questions about the data Columbia submitted.
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Massachusetts college eliminates loans and work requirements from student aid

Jun 13, 2022
Might other private colleges follow Williams College's lead?
Daniela Corona stands outside the admissions building where she works as a tour guide at Williams College.
Kirk Carapezza/GBH News

Historically Black school enrollment is rising, propelled by the Black Lives Matter movement

Jun 3, 2022
Many HBCUs were established in the years following the Civil War to educate Black people. Now, many are seeing an increase in applications.
Morgan State's freshman class nearly doubled last fall from the previous years. Above, students walk through the Baltimore campus in May.
Stephanie Hughes/Marketplace