More students are learning to be mechanics, chefs, and construction workers as college enrollment shrinks

Insider

Grace Mayer

April 20, 2023

• Public colleges have been hit with enrollment declines and growing sentiments that a degree isn’t worth it.

• But many trade programs are seeing increases in enrollment, per the National Student Clearinghouse.

• Construction, culinary, and mechanic trade programs all saw enrollment increase last year.

While colleges have been hit with enrollment declines and growing sentiments that a 4-year degree is no longer “worth it,” many trade programs across the country are experiencing the opposite — enrollment is increasing, research from the National Student Clearinghouse found.

Across construction, culinary, and mechanic trade programs, all experienced increases in enrollment between spring 2021 to 2022, the study found.

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