College Transition for Families

[Page 205]Each year, millions of families face the challenges and excitement of sending their children off to college, whether it involves moving away from home or not. According to the Institute of Education Sciences, in 2008 nearly 20 million students were enrolled as undergraduates in postsecondary programs. Sixty-two percent were enrolled in 4-year institutions, 26% in 2-year institutions, and 2% in other programs. The number of students enrolled in undergraduate college education has risen dramatically since 1970, up 72%. Today's undergraduate students are different than those from the past with higher percentages of women, ethnically and racially diverse students, and older students. The increases in postsecondary enrollment can be explained in part by the job market demands, as Patricia McDonough reports that 6 of 10 ...