College enrollment measures the share of the college age population (ages 18 to 24) that are enrolled in college or graduate school. College enrollment reflects access to higher education, which is closely tied to economic growth, workforce development, and social mobility. Higher college enrollment in a region indicates a more educated and skilled future workforce.
The data indicates a general trend of declining college enrollment rates among the 18 to 24-year-old population, with a sharper decline observed in the last few years, particularly during and after the pandemic. Females in the region consistently enrolled in college or graduate school at higher rates than males, although their enrollment rates have also declined in the recent years.