Why Is Enrollment Falling at Rider and Other N.J. Private Colleges?

Nationwide, enrollment has been plummeting at many small and mid-size private colleges. Experts say the reasons are complex. The number of college-age students is falling. The stagnant economy has driven many middle-class families toward less expensive public colleges.  Meanwhile, many small private colleges have struggled to offer the financial aid packages, new majors and other perks that larger colleges offer. They also lack the name recognition and national rankings of their larger competitors.