The Growing Phenomenon of College Stopouts in American Higher Education

In the landscape of United States higher education, a significant portion of students who begin college do not complete their degrees. These individuals, often referred to as college stopouts, are those who enroll in postsecondary institutions but leave temporarily or permanently without earning a credential. Unlike permanent dropouts, stopouts may intend to return at some point. Currently, around 43.1 million adults fall into the category of some college, no credential, with 37.6 million of working age under 65 years old. This group represents a vast untapped potential for both individuals seeking career advancement and institutions aiming to boost completion rates.

The term 'stopout' specifically describes students who pause their studies due to various life circumstances rather than abandoning education altogether. Data from recent years shows that while the overall stopout population continues to expand, positive shifts are occurring. Annual new stopouts numbered 2.1 million between January 2022 and July 2023, a decline of 6.9 percent or 156,000 fewer than the prior period. This reduction across most institution types, particularly public two-year colleges where stopouts dropped by 10.7 percent, signals improving retention efforts even amid broader enrollment challenges.

Record-Breaking Reenrollment Surge in 2023-2024

One of the most encouraging developments is the sharp uptick in reenrollments. In the 2023-2024 academic year, more than one million adults who had previously stopped out returned to college, marking a record high and a 7 percent increase from the previous year. This milestone, tracked by the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, underscores a revival of educational aspirations long paused by life's demands.

Community colleges serve as the primary destination for these returning learners, reflecting their flexibility and affordability. Nearly two-thirds of some college, no credential individuals last attended community colleges. Additionally, primarily online institutions attract a disproportionate share of reenrollees relative to their original enrollment base, highlighting the appeal of digital learning for working adults. Among re-enrollees, 4.7 percent earned a credential in their first year back, a slight improvement, with potential completers—those with at least two years of prior full-time equivalent enrollment—showing even higher success rates.

Statewide Variations and Leadership in Reengagement

Reenrollment gains were widespread, with 42 states and the District of Columbia reporting increases. Massachusetts led with a 35.2 percent rise, followed by strong performances in states like Texas, where 81,468 working adults reenrolled out of 2.64 million eligible, securing a national ranking of seventh at a 3.1 percent rate. Maryland institutions welcomed 25,068 returnees from across the country, up 2,259 from the prior year. These variations stem from targeted state policies, such as Colorado's Re-Engaged or CORE program, which awards credentials based on prior credits without requiring full reenrollment, boosting completers by 1,200 to 2,100 in one year.

Institutions in these leading states leverage data analytics to identify high-potential returnees, particularly recent stopouts and those near completion. For more on national trends, explore the National Student Clearinghouse SCNC report.

Common Barriers That Drive Students to Stop Out

Understanding why students leave is crucial for effective reengagement. Common hurdles include:

• Financial pressures: Unpaid fees, mounting debt, or inability to afford tuition amid low wages.
• Life events: Parenting responsibilities, caregiving for family, health issues, or job demands.
• Bureaucratic obstacles: Holds on accounts due to small balances, confusing forms, or lost transcripts.
• Academic and personal challenges: Mental health struggles, transportation issues, or balancing work-study-life.
• Institutional factors: Lack of flexible scheduling or recognition of prior learning.

Men are disproportionately affected, comprising 51 percent of stopouts despite being 42 percent of enrollees, and 29 percent more likely to pause studies than women. Racial disparities persist, though all groups saw gains in reenrollment over recent years.

Innovative Targeted Programs Fueling Reenrollments

Colleges and partners are deploying data-driven, personalized strategies to overcome these barriers. ReUp Education, a key player, facilitates reenrollment through coaching, matching learners to suitable programs based on credits, life situations, and career goals. In New Jersey, their statewide marketplace reenrolled over 13,500 adults, generating $74 million in lifetime earnings impact. Michigan's partnership saw thousands return, aligning with the state's Sixty by 30 completion goal.

EAB's Navigate platform helps over 150 institutions identify and re-recruit stopouts via targeted campaigns, including text messaging and incentives. Scholarships for near-completers, often funded by philanthropies like the Carnegie Corporation, cover final credits and living costs. These efforts average 24 touchpoints—texts, emails, calls—before a student recommits. Learn strategies from EAB's white paper on reenrolling stopouts.

Real-World Success Stories of Returning Learners

Personal narratives illustrate the impact. Jevona Anderson, now 60, stopped out from the University of Baltimore's environmental sustainability program after family tragedies, eviction, and financial collapse derailed her near-completion. A Carnegie-funded scholarship covered her remaining credits and housing, allowing her to refocus and graduate this spring, eyeing a teaching career in urban communities.

Melody Blair, 55, returned to Pueblo Community College in Colorado for an associate's in health information management via a $2,000 stopout scholarship. Previously stuck in a draining night-shift call center job, she now pursues genomic registry work to aid underserved patients. Nina Diggs-Pindell at the same university balanced multiple stopouts from parenting and work, crediting dedicated advising.

These stories highlight how removing 'small obstacles'—like account holds or aid navigation—enables focus on studies.

Community Colleges as Reenrollment Hubs

Public two-year institutions are pivotal, experiencing fewer stopouts and higher reenrollments. Pueblo Community College's decade-old scholarship requires a C average in the first semester for funding release, paired with financial aid check-ins and social media outreach. Such models emphasize conditional aid, flexible online options, and prior learning credits, making return feasible for working adults.

Economic and Societal Implications of Reenrollment

Completing a degree dramatically improves outcomes. Credential earners see higher earnings, better job stability, and upward mobility. For the 37.6 million working-age stopouts, finishing unlocks these benefits without starting over. Institutions gain from higher completion rates amid enrollment cliffs, while states like Texas leverage reenrollees for workforce needs. However, challenges like debt relief and support services remain key.

Overcoming Challenges: Best Practices for Institutions

To sustain momentum, colleges adopt:

• Multi-channel outreach: Texts, emails, social ads.
• Personalized coaching: Addressing individual barriers.
• Barrier removal: Waiving holds, simplifying FAFSA.
• Prior learning assessment: Crediting work experience.
• Flexible formats: Stackable credentials, evenings/online.

Experts like James Kvaal emphasize aiding near-completers, while Jennifer Latino from EAB notes reenrollment as a 'light lift' investment.

Looking Ahead: A Brighter Future for Stopouts

With reenrollments at record levels and stopouts declining, US higher education is poised for transformation. Continued investment in targeted help promises to shrink the some college, no credential gap, empowering millions economically and personally. Institutions prioritizing adult learners will lead this shift, fostering inclusive pathways to credentials. For state insights, see Texas A&M's SCNC trends analysis and ReUp's NJ blueprint.

Photo by Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash