This may be happening because students are realizing that a degree does not mean a financial free life. They may see many college grads with loans out of the wazoo and living a poor life style.

I work in a university that provides adult aducation and many of ours students end up dropping out, because they  are head of families and  need to support their families. Due to  our current economy many students have to make their employment their priority they don't have the luxury to tell their employers they are going to miss work because they have class.  There is a long line of unemployed people outside waitiing to take over their job.