Trending Now - Students Shift Focus to Community Colleges Amid AI Influence

WHO:

CNN - Mary Akkerman, a parent from Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

CNN - Brianna Angelucci, a college advisor with the Access to College Experts network.

CNN - Kate Hilgenberg, a New Yorker with one child in college and a high school junior.

CNN - Lucy Hughes, a parent from North Carolina with two high school students.

CNN - Daniel A. Collier, a professor of adult and higher education at the University of Memphis.

Fast Company - National Student Clearinghouse Research Center (NSCRC).

WHAT:

CNN - Average tuition and fees for public four-year out-of-state institutions increased by 3.4% for the 2025-2026 school year, totaling $31,880 per year.

CNN - Private nonprofit colleges increased tuition by 4% to reach $45,000 per year for the 2025-2026 school year.

CNN - Average student loan debt at graduation has increased by 41% since 2007, totaling an average of $39,457.

Fast Company - In the 2024-2025 academic year, 532,464 students who earned a bachelor’s degree had a prior postsecondary credential.

Fast Company - Of those, 419,766 students completed the bachelor’s degree pathway from an associate degree, accounting for 78.8%.

Fast Company - Community college enrollment saw a 3% increase in fall 2025.

WHERE:

CNN - Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

CNN - North Carolina.

Fast Company - United States.

WHEN:

CNN - The deadline for most students to commit to a college is around May 1st, 2026, known as College Decision Day.

Fast Company - The 2024-2025 academic year.

Fast Company - The 2025-2026 academic year.

WHY:

CNN - Parents and students are trying to determine what counts as a “good return” for an education due to the rapid advance of AI and its effects on the job market.

CNN - Concerns about the impact of AI on job prospects are influencing parents' decisions regarding their children's education and career paths.

Fast Company - The cost of college is a significant factor contributing to the appeal of community colleges.

HOW:

CNN - Parents are setting limits on contributions to college expenses, leading students to consider taking on debt.

Fast Company - The federal government has issued multiple rounds of Strengthening Community Colleges Training Grants to support community colleges and students.

(UPDATED April 18, 2026 13:19 UTC)

Average tuition and fees for public four-year out-of-state institutions have risen by 3.4% for the 2025-2026 school year, reaching a total of $31,880 per year, while private nonprofit colleges have increased their tuition by 4% to $45,000. As parents and students grapple with the rising costs of education, many are questioning the value of a degree in light of the rapid advancements in AI and its potential impact on job prospects, prompting some families to limit their financial contributions and consider student debt. Meanwhile, community college enrollment saw a 3% increase in fall 2025, as the federal government has launched initiatives to support these institutions and address the growing concerns about the return on investment in higher education.