Far more than 9-11. More than half of students surveyed (55 percent) reported that the poor economy has made them give more consideration to working part-time while attending college. Moreover, 39 percent reported giving more consideration to public colleges or universities in their home state, and 37 percent indicated that they were considering institutions known for generous financial aid.

To explore to what extent the economic downturn has affected students' college choices, we read respondents a series of statements ranging from whether the current state of the economy had made them give more serious consideration to working part-time or more while attending college to whether it had made them consider less expensive schools closer to home.

Among the total population of students interviewed, a sizable proportion reported that concerns about the economy had made them give serious consideration to the following:

• Working part-time or more while attending college (55 percent)
• Public colleges or universities in their home state (39 percent)
• Institutions with reputations for generous financial aid (37 percent)
• Less expensive schools closer to home (37 percent)