Last spring, the State University of New York sent automatic acceptance letters to 125,000 graduating high school students. College enrollment is fallingPhoto: Bryan Y.W. These days, only about 62% of high school seniors in the U.S. immediately go on to college, down from 68% in 2010. Tuition and fees at four-year private colleges rose 4% to $41,540 in the 2023-24 school year from $39,940 in 2022-23. At four-year, in-state public colleges, the cost increased 2.5% to $11,260 from $10,990 the prior school year, according to the College Board.

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Persons: Jenny Rickard, Bryan Y.W, Doug Shapiro Organizations: State University of New York, Nationwide, Student, Student Clearinghouse Research, National Center for Education Statistics, College Board, Financial Locations: U.S