WASHINGTON (TNND) — College freshmen enrollment has declined by 5% this fall semester, according to data from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. The most significant drops are seen in public and private, nonprofit four-year colleges, while community colleges have experienced the smallest declines.

African American freshmen enrollment has notably decreased by 16.9% at highly selective public and private, nonprofit four-year schools.

The rising cost of tuition is a major hurdle. Changes to the FAFSA last year resulted in technical difficulties and delays, leaving many students uncertain about their financial aid packages, according to the Government Accountability Office. In-state tuition at public four-year colleges now averages $11,610, up $300 from the previous academic year, while out-of-state tuition averages $30,780, an increase of $940, as reported by the College Board.

Student loan debt remains a significant issue, with 42.7 million borrowers owing over $1.6 trillion, according to the Office of Federal Student Aid. The incoming administration could bring changes, as President-elect Donald Trump opposes canceling student loan debt and has proposed eliminating subsidized Stafford loans and public service loan forgiveness, while supporting income-based repayment plans, according to The Washington Post.

Other factors contributing to the decline in college enrollment include some students choosing to work to support their families and a declining birth rate, which experts warn could lead to an "enrollment cliff" in the future. The CDC reports a 17% decline in the number of births since the most recent high in 2007.

Despite the decline in freshmen enrollment, overall undergraduate enrollment has increased by 3%. Trade school enrollment has grown by 4.9% from 2020 to 2023, according to the Education Writers Association.