US colleges are experiencing a 5% decline in freshman enrollment for fall 2024, marking the first decrease since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this decline, overall undergraduate enrollment has increased by 3%, attributed largely to returning students and high schoolers enrolling in college courses. Factors contributing to the drop include issues with federal financial aid processing and shifting perceptions regarding college value, particularly affecting schools serving lower-income students. In contrast, Massachusetts has reported a 6.5% increase in overall higher education enrollment, driven by initiatives like free community college programs. This discrepancy highlights regional differences in enrollment trends and the impact of state policies on student decisions. Experts predict continued challenges for colleges due to declining birth rates, which will reduce the pool of potential high school graduates in the coming years.