Students walk to class at the University of Cincinnati / Enquirer file
The Associated Press
College enrollment in Ohio is dropping.
A preliminary report released by the Ohio Board of Regents Monday shows that enrollment has dropped 5.9 percent since last year. The decline of more than 31,000 students at the state’s 61 public universities and colleges was expected — but it still hurt some financially and forced the layoff of 23 people at one community college.
The Dayton Daily News reports that the enrollment decline is attributed to a record number of students graduating last year ahead of the semester conversion at 17 institutions. Also to blame are changes to federal financial aid that mean fewer students are eligible, and an economy that has some choosing to go to work instead of school.
It’s the second consecutive year enrollment has dipped.
The Ohio Board of Regents 15-day headcount shows that enrollment at university main campuses is down about 1 percent from 2011. It’s down 4.24 percent at university regional campuses, and 13 percent at the state’s community colleges.
