Tennessee college-going rate dips, but enrollment numbers vary widely
Why it matters: The discrepancy in college enrollment across the state points to significant factors driving students' decisions, particularly family income.
The big picture: Statewide, 56% of the seniors at public high schools enrolled in college last year after graduation, according to a new report out last week. That figure is down slightly from 56.7% in 2023.
State of play: A closer look shows different realities in different parts of the state.
Tennessee's wealthiest county, Williamson, by far logged the highest college-going rate among public school graduates at 84%. (That's about 16 points higher than second place.)
Meanwhile Cocke County in East Tennessee, which is economically distressed, logged 38.6%.
Nashville's college-going rate dipped to 49.4% (from 50.8%).
Zoom in: There is a significant enrollment gap based on the financial barriers students face.
Students who are considered economically disadvantaged enrolled at a 38.7% rate, while nearly 65% of their peers who were not disadvantaged enrolled.
An analysis included with the state report on college enrollment found some high school graduates chose work over college as the job market improved in recent years.
Racial and gender-based enrollment gaps grew last year.
Hispanic men had the lowest college-going rate among high school seniors, according to the state, at 32.5%.
The group that enrolled at the highest rate was white women, at 69%.
Driving the news: The dip in the college-going rate coincided with the chaotic rollout of the new FAFSA in 2024. Technical glitches made the federal aid application harder for many students and delayed financial aid decisions.
College officials nationwide predicted the bungled FAFSA launch would chip away at enrollment.
Yes, but: Even though Tennessee's college-going rate went down the raw number of students heading to college ticked up a bit because the Class of 2024 was larger than the Class of 2023.
What's next: The Tennessee Higher Education Commission launched a new effort this summer to invest more in college-related support for students in "under-resourced communities."
A new pilot program starting this fall seeks to streamline college enrollment statewide. Students at about 230 high schools will get automatic admissions decisions from participating colleges.
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