How Stagflation Is Reshaping the Two-Year College Boom

In this episode of Stagflation Conversations, Lucas and Luna examine the surprising surge in enrollment at community colleges amid persistent high inflation and slow growth. With real GDP growing at only 1.6% annually and the unemployment rate holding at 4.3%, more workers are returning to school for retraining, especially at two-year institutions. Lucas points to a 12% enrollment jump at community colleges nationally, driven by older students seeking skills in healthcare, IT, and trades. Luna notes the flip side: rising tuition and textbook costs are squeezing budgets, even as federal Pell Grants haven't kept pace with inflation. The hosts explore whether this boom is a durable shift or a cyclical response, and what it means for the broader economy, from local labor markets to student debt trends. They also touch on how colleges are adapting with more online and evening programs to accommodate working adults. A focused look at one concrete effect of stagflation on education. #Stagflation #CommunityCollege #EnrollmentBoom #Economics #HigherEducation #WorkforceTraining #Inflation #SlowGrowth #PellGrants #StudentDebt #HealthcareTraining #ITSkills #Trades #LaborMarket #Retraining #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #EducationEconomics Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo