The Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on University Student Enrollment Decisions and Higher Education Resource Allocation

Abstract

The uncertainty created by the COVID-19 pandemic has anguished both college students and university administrators around the world. Leading up to the 2020-2021 academic year, college students were not certain of when their universities would reopen or of how they would pay for school, given the financial unpredictability. Many students opted to defer their enrollment or re-evaluate their first-choice institution. Universities also faced financial pressure as student enrollment dropped while institutions incurred new costs, investing in student and employee safety measures as well as in IT solutions for distance education: online program management platforms and other tools related to students’ online learning experience and data collection.