The U.S. Census Bureau says college enrollment in fall 2012 plunged by 467,000 students compared with one year earlier. This decline, which includes both graduate and undergraduate enrollment, follows a period of substantial growth between 2006 and 2011. This decline in college enrollment was driven by older students — that is, those 25 and older. Their enrollment fell by 419,000; the enrollment of younger students declined by 48,000.