The Eduventures® Admitted Student 2025 Trend Report Outlines Strategies for Colleges and Universities to Engage Students Interested in the "Big Five" Academic Areas to Stay Competitive in Today's Crowded Higher Education Market.
BOSTON, June 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Encoura, an industry-leading educational technology, data science, and research organization, announced today the publication of the Eduventures Admitted Student 2025 Trend Report. The annual report provides first-hand insights into the enrollment decisions and academic perceptions of nearly 60,000 college-bound high school students – with this year's insights revealing the academic interest consolidation of first-time students into the "Big Five" fields.
This year's report reveals five broad areas of academic interest that have dominated over the years: Biology, Business, Computer Science, Engineering, and Health Professions. Not only have these combined "Big Five" academic fields held steady as the top academic interests among admitted students despite years of environmental disruptions, they are growing.
In addition to revealing the top three reasons today's students say they gravitate toward these fields, the Admitted Student 2025 Trend Report dives into specific student motivations and priorities within each field. These insights empower academic, enrollment, and marketing teams to strategically strengthen both their positioning and communication with students in today's increasingly competitive higher education market by speaking to what matters most in students' enrollment decisions.
Key research findings from the "Big Five" fields include:
- Biology: Enrollment estimates reveal shifts among student choices within the broad area of Biology, with more specific areas experiencing growth, while the subfield of Biology, General declined. Quality of programs, connections to the classroom, and an understanding of how they can immerse themselves in their majors, will help Biology students envision their career paths (including graduate school).
- Business: Business has secured itself as a front-runner in terms of admitted student choice and enrollment. Students interested in Business seek colleges that will support their future careers, focusing on connections, involvement, and engagement opportunities during their studies.
- Computer Science: Of the Big Five, Computer Science has experienced the greatest enrollment growth since 2020. Computer Science students are practical in their college choices, showing interest in skills development and finding ways to build out their resumes.
- Engineering: Since 2020, it has seen the greatest growth in Eduventures' admitted student interest. The college choices of Engineering students reflect brands of high quality and intelligence to prepare them for the demands of their careers ahead.
- Health Professions: While interest in Health Professions experienced depreciation among admitted students since 2020, its volume firmly held its place among the Big Five. Engaging with alumni or employers to discuss perceptions and future opportunities within health careers can assist students in developing a refreshed perspective.
"With the 'Big Five' fields dominating admitted student interest, colleges and universities now have prime case studies for how to strengthen the appeal of these and other fields offered at their institutions," said Emily Ross, Eduventures Senior Analyst and primary author of this study. "In addition to highlighting the 'Big Five' areas, this year's Admitted Student Research empowers institutions with data and tangible strategies to effectively engage prospective students and grow enrollment across disciplines."
To learn more about the Eduventures Admitted Student Research, including participation opportunities, please visit encoura.org/asr.
Members of the media who would like to speak to the author of this report or obtain a copy of the full report can contact Todd Boullion at [email protected].
About Encoura, LLC
Encoura is an educational data science and research organization serving over 2,000 member institutions comprising public and private colleges and universities across the nation and abroad. Since 1972, Encoura has been a leading provider of data science, technology, and programs serving students, high school educators, colleges, and universities with offices in Austin, TX, and Boston, MA. These solutions represent the link between students making important life decisions and those providing the resources and information students need to succeed in their postsecondary educations and careers. For more information, visit encoura.org.
SOURCE Encoura

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