More students are going to college. Affordability and workforce training are factors

"While overall more people are choosing college, there are important shifts happening in where students are going and where they're not. Enrollment at private four-year colleges is down. Fewer people are enrolled in master's degree programs. But enrollment is up at four-year public universities and at community colleges. There, it's driven by students choosing short-term credentials tied to the workforce."

"There, it's driven by students choosing short-term credentials tied to the workforce. Courtney Brown is with the Lumina Foundation, which focuses on improving higher education. She's been studying public opinion on college. COURTNEY BROWN: The public's been telling us that cost, flexibility and career relevance shape their view of college's worth. So people aren't turning away from education. They're just getting more precise about what kind of education they want."

Overall college enrollment in the U.S. rose slightly, increasing by about 200,000 students according to the National Student Clearinghouse. Growth occurred at community colleges and public four-year universities, while private four-year institutions and master's degree programs saw declines. Economic uncertainty, hiring slowdowns and a frozen labor market are motivating people to return to college for skills and credentials. Community college gains are concentrated in short-term, workforce-aligned credentials. Public perceptions of higher education now emphasize cost, flexibility and career relevance, leading learners to seek more targeted educational options. International graduate student enrollment also declined substantially.

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