Indiana’s college enrollment rate has fallen to its lowest level on record, prompting new debate over education policy and workforce preparedness.

Indiana's college-going rate has remained stubbornly low for three years despite attempts by state leaders to revive it.

Higher education officials and school districts have pushed to boost college enrollment, including through an automatic admissions program between Indianapolis Public Schools and IU Indianapolis.

Higher ed enrollment has declined significantly between 2015 and 2020. Experts cite concerns over value and quality of higher education.

Ivy Tech Community College overhauled remedial education over the last decade. Leaders say the changes have helped substantially more students graduate on time.

The Commission for Higher Education described the college-going rate in 2020 as “the lowest rate — and sharpest decline — in at least a generation.”

Fall enrollment at Indiana's public colleges has declined again statewide, with only Indiana and Purdue universities' flagship campuses and some Ivy Tech Community College sites reporting gains.

Unlike some other large Hoosier public colleges, Ball State University welcomed a smaller freshman class this year.

Purdue University said it has nearly 50,000 students this fall, a record fueled by a freshman class of about 10,200.

The Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis campus had a 5 percent enrollment drop to about 26,000 students.