American Higher Education Shifts Focus From Enrollment Targets to Student Graduation Rates

By Emmanuel Lalande · Hechinger Report · 2026-06-22

American Higher Education Shifts Focus From Enrollment Targets to Student Graduation Rates

Hechinger Report reveals that roughly 40 percent of college students fail to earn a degree within six years of starting their programs. While many institutions remain hyper-focused on the upcoming demographic cliff and shrinking applicant pools, this reporting suggests that the 4

Hechinger Report reveals that roughly 40 percent of college students fail to earn a degree within six years of starting their programs. While many institutions remain hyper-focused on the upcoming demographic cliff and shrinking applicant pools, this reporting suggests that the 4