Is College Worth It Still? 

For years, going to college was seen as the natural next step after high school. But today, more students are starting to question the value of higher education. With rising tuition costs, concerns about student debt, and changing career paths, many are rethinking whether college is the right choice for their future. This shift is happening across the country…and as a result, college enrollment is declining nationwide. At Angelo State University, enrollment plays a critical role in supporting academic programs, campus resources, and student opportunities. When enrollment declines, universities face real challenges in maintaining the quality, variety, and accessibility of those programs. This can impact everything from class availability and faculty support to student experiences and campus involvement. But this issue doesn’t stop at the university level… It also affects the local workforce, economic development, and long-term community growth. Communities rely on college graduates to fill essential roles, support local businesses, and contribute to a skilled and prepared workforce. When fewer students pursue higher education, those opportunities and connections begin to shrink. This isn’t just a higher education issue—it’s a community issue.
Higher education shapes our future…
That’s why I chose ASU.

San Angelo Community Overview

Understanding the San Angelo community is essential when addressing enrollment decline and changing perceptions of higher education. The following sections provide research, demographic data, and community feedback that help identify educational needs, workforce expectations, and opportunities for community engagement.

Research & Community Resources

This research collection includes articles, statistics, and educational resources related to San Angelo, Texas, trends, workforce expectations, businesses, organizations, and nonprofits.

View the Padlet link here! 

San Angelo Demographic Data

Understanding community demographics helps identify educational trends, workforce needs, and opportunities for outreach and engagement.

Community Snapshot

  • Population: 99,661
  • Median Age: 36
  • Gender Distribution:
    • 50% Male
    • 50% Female

Ethnic Demographics

  • 46% White
  • 44% Hispanic
  • 4% Black
  • 2% Asian

Economic & Housing Data

  • Median Household Income: $67,498
  • 8.6% Below Poverty Line
  • 20-Minute Average Commute
  • 71% Single Family Housing
  • 94% Occupied Housing
  • 54% Owner Occupied
  • Median Home Value: $222,600

Education Statistics

  • 88.8% High School Graduate or Higher
  • 26.5% Bachelor’s Degree or Higher

Additional Community Data

  • 6.8% Foreign Born
  • 9.6% Veterans
  • 49% Married

Community Implications

The San Angelo community reflects a growing need for educational outreach, workforce development, and accessible higher education opportunities. As workforce demands continue to evolve, Angelo State University plays an important role in preparing students to meet regional and global career needs.

Community Needs Assessment

The Community Needs Assessment was designed to gather input from members of the San Angelo community regarding their overall quality of life and level of engagement with local activities, programs, and resources.

The purpose of this assessment is to better understand:

  • Resident perceptions of community opportunities
  • Accessibility to local resources and services
  • Areas where community needs may not be fully met
  • Opportunities to improve community engagement and quality of life

Why This Assessment Matters:

Community feedback is essential in helping organizations and institutions better understand the needs of residents. The information gathered through this survey can help guide future community initiatives, strengthen outreach efforts, improve access to resources, and support long-term community development strategies.

For Angelo State University, understanding community needs also supports stronger relationships between the university and the San Angelo community while helping identify opportunities for collaboration, engagement, and workforce development.

Take the survey here! 

Enrollment Decline and the Changing Perception of Higher Education

Higher education institutions across the United States are facing what experts describe as an “enrollment cliff,” referring to the declining number of students entering college directly after high school graduation. This issue is largely connected to declining birth rates following the 2008 recession, which has resulted in a smaller population of traditional college-aged students. Colleges and universities nationwide are already experiencing the effects of this demographic shift.

At the same time, perceptions regarding the value of higher education are changing. Rising tuition costs, student loan concerns, workforce changes, and the availability of alternative career pathways have caused many students and families to question whether a college degree is worth the investment.

For institutions like Angelo State University, these issues directly impact recruitment, enrollment, student success, workforce preparation, and long-term institutional sustainability.

Meet the people and partnerships behind Impact Starts Here

The success of Impact Starts Here is rooted in the strength of the San Angelo community and the partnerships that support student success, workforce development, and educational opportunity throughout West Texas. As higher education faces enrollment decline and changing perceptions of college value, collaboration between universities, schools, businesses, healthcare organizations, and community leaders has become more important than ever.

San Angelo is a growing and diverse community with a population of 99,661 and a strong foundation of educational and workforce partnerships. Angelo State University continues to work alongside organizations such as Shannon Medical Center and San Angelo ISD to provide students with meaningful hands-on experiences, career preparation opportunities, and pathways to long-term success.

Through internships, clinical rotations, student teaching opportunities, mentorship programs, and regional recruitment initiatives, these partnerships help connect students from the classroom to real-world careers while strengthening the future workforce of West Texas.

Together, these collaborations demonstrate how community engagement and higher education can create lasting impact for students, families, and the region as a whole.

"Higher education is more than a degree — it is an investment in opportunity, growth, leadership, and future success."

Impact Starts Here

Create Your Own Website With Webador