Spring plumbing enrollment dips at two-year colleges

U.S. enrollment in plumbing-specific programs at public two-year colleges this spring fell compared to the same period last year, newly released data shows.

What’s happening: Just over 8,600 students were enrolled in such programs during the spring 2026 semester, a five percent year-over-year decrease, according to a Thursday report published by the National Student Clearinghouse, which collects and analyzes postsecondary enrollment data.

Yes, but: Compared to the spring semester of 2021, when public two-year colleges counted nearly 5,900 students enrolled in plumbing programs, the figure is up 47 percent. 

• Meanwhile, HVAC-specific programs during the semester saw enrollment grow 16.7 percent year-over-year, as Homepros recently reported. 

The big picture: Driven in part by a wave of expected retirements, about 44,000 annual job openings for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters are projected from 2024 to 2034, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) — slightly more than HVAC, which is projected to see 40,000 annual job openings for technicians and installers over the period. 

Looking ahead: The National Student Clearinghouse publishes two enrollment reports a year, with the next release — covering the fall 2026 semester — scheduled for January 2027.