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Central Ohio colleges brace for a "demographic cliff," widen access through adult programs and employer partnerships
Summary
At a Columbus Metropolitan Club forum, leaders from Central State University, Otterbein, Columbus State and Ohio State described strategies — from Pell-first tuition coverage to employer-delivered credentials — intended to offset projected declines in traditional college-going cohorts.
Leaders of Central Ohio colleges told an audience at the Columbus Metropolitan Club that they are preparing for a projected drop in the number of traditional college-age students by expanding programs for adult learners, deepening employer partnerships and adjusting financial aid.
James Orr, vice provost for strategic enrollment management at The Ohio State University, cited research showing a future decline in high school graduates and a lower college-going rate. "In 2008, a researcher and economist by the name of Nathan McGraw ... projected is that starting in 2025 this fall, that there would be a decline in the number of high school graduates," Orr said. He added that Ohio's college-going rate fell from about 72% in 2010 to roughly 66% in 2023.
Why it matters: Colleges statewide rely on tuition and enrollment-driven funding; a sustained…
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