The latest survey from the education consultancy EAB paints a different picture of why students decline college offers: everyday expenses are now the decisive factor. Among high school graduates who chose not to enroll, 67% cited cost-of-living pressures as their reason, a jump from 51% in 2026. This shift suggests that the broader household budget — rent, groceries, transportation, and other recurring expenses — is carrying more weight than the sticker price of tuition when young people evaluate whether higher education is feasible.
At the same time, overall intent to attend college has held steady: 89% of the 9,516 surveyed graduates went on to enroll in fall 2026. But the motivations behind those who opt out have evolved. Pandemic-era explanations like being “not mentally ready” have dwindled, while pragmatic financial pressures have risen. The survey frames these choices in the context of both immediate living expenses and longer-term career calculations, making affordability a broader concept than just tuition.
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Key survey findings and what they mean
EAB’s data lists several specific reasons students gave for skipping college. A quarter (25%) said they simply could not afford college up front, while 12% reported needing to work — up 3 percentage points from the previous year. Fewer students are taking planned breaks: 26% wanted time off, down from 39% in EAB’s 2026 survey. Taken together, these figures show a move from temporary, personal reasons toward sustained economic constraints. The term non-enrollees in the study captures students who left the pipeline for any reason, but the dominant drivers are clearly financial.
How enrolled students define value
When new college entrants explain what they expect from higher education, the emphasis is on work outcomes. 44% ranked strong job placement after graduation among the top marks of a quality education. Practical experiences matter too: 35% cited internships and cooperative programs, and the same share named scholarship availability. About 30% prioritized financial aid packages and 29% cited moderate tuition. There are socioeconomic divides: higher-income students tend to stress career outcomes, while first-generation students place heavier weight on financial aid as a deciding factor.
Costs beyond tuition
Financial calculations increasingly include non-tuition expenses. Analysts such as The College Investor note that tuition discounting averages 56% — a record high — yet most families still face out-of-pocket bills between $25,000 and $100,000 once room, board, and fees are added. Housing and meal plans typically tack on $20,000 to $30,000 annually, amounts that can eclipse in-state tuition at public institutions. EAB’s findings indicate those living expenses were the deciding factor for roughly two-thirds of students who abandoned college plans.
AI, applications, and student behavior
Another major influence is artificial intelligence. Forty-two percent of incoming students expect AI to influence their career choice, and about 10% have already switched intended majors because of it. Responses show tech-related programs are the most frequently dropped: roughly 39% of write-in reasons pointed to leaving computer science and similar majors, while 23% cited leaving creative fields. Half of students say they feel uncertain about AI’s long-term effect on jobs; about a third describe feelings such as concern, anxiety, or skepticism, while only 13% feel optimistic and 7% feel excited.
Application strategies and economic signaling
Students are applying more widely to keep options open: the average graduate now files 7.1 applications and receives about 5.2 admissions offers, up from an average of 6.1 applications five years ago. Deposit behavior remains narrow overall, with a mean of 1.4 yields per student, but households earning more than $120,000 average slightly more at 1.5 deposits — a sign that wealthier families can hold multiple choices later into senior year. This hedging reflects both uncertainty about finances and attempts to secure the best postsecondary pathway in a volatile labor market.
In sum, the survey reframes the enrollment conversation: students are balancing tuition against a wider set of costs and risks, including living expenses and the potential disruption from AI. Colleges that can present clear, realistic pathways to employment, transparent total-cost estimates, and targeted support for living costs will be better positioned to retain applicants. Absent those answers, increasing numbers of graduates will likely find work immediately rather than absorb the full cost of a degree.
