The U.S. Education Department's National Center for Education Statistics has released preliminary data regarding 2011 enrolment and fiscal trends in US post-secondary education as well as additional comparative research on select post-secondary trends from 2003-2008. The preliminary data can be downloaded from the US Education Department here.

The preliminary data shows that total enrolment has fallen for the first time since 1996 among US institutions eligible for federal financial aid. Doug Lederman of Inside Higher Ed provides a succinct summation of relevant enrolment figures and offers speculation as to why this dip may have occurred and what the possible effects could be on future education policy. His article is available to read on the Inside Higher Ed website here.

Writes Doug Lederman