For generations, the calculus of choosing a college in the United States seemed straightforward: Weigh the academic quality against the financial burden, and pick the institution that offered the best mix of prestige and affordability. Today, that equation has been complicated by a new set of variables, politics, campus safety, and even TikTok. According to the 14th annual survey conducted by Spark451, a Jenzabar company specializing in enrollment management, the picture of higher education decision-making is shifting in real time. The 2025 report, based on responses from more than 1,800 graduating high school seniors and 1,400 parents, suggests that while academic rigour and affordability remain the bedrock of choice, families are now scrutinizing institutions through a broader and, at

See Full Page