LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — As students celebrate the end of their high school career, plans of the future are uncertain.
A new study by Civis Analyticssays a growing percentage of students are changing their post-high school plans because of COVID-19. 43% of white parents of high school students report that their children’s plans have changed, compared to 59% of black parents, and 61% of Hispanic/Latino parents.
A struggling economy puts new pressures on students who are looking at tuition costs. Now, high school students and adults are looking at community college as a place to kick start a new career.
“When the economy has downturns, community college enrollment goes up,” said College of Southern Nevada President Frederico Zaragoza.
Zaragoza says enrollment has been a roller coaster with the uncertainty of COVID-19. Right now, the numbers are trending up.
Some students who had their sights on a big university are now eyeing the more affordable two year schools.
Zaragoza expects the enrollment trend to continue upwards because adults will be looking for the education that can get them back into the workforce. In some programs, training can be completed within a year.
“If the jobs that they were in before are no longer there, College of Southern Nevada is a good place to reconnect to the jobs that will be there in a post-COVID environment,” Zaragoza said.
Nevada State College is a four year school, but hones in on in-demand jobs like nursing and teaching. It’s a close to home option that’s more affordable than many universities.
