This study examines how real-life factors influence unexpected shocks/changes in college enrollment. The results are provided for both male and female groups. While family income significantly affects unexpected shocks on female enrollment, college tuition and consumer sentiment turn out to have no significant impact on both male and female groups. Although there is still room to delve into more various causes, given limited data availability, this study contributes to the literature in the sense that the significant relationship between unexpected shocks on female enrollment and family income is identified and it can be partially explained by socioeconomic status of family or gender differences in psychological characteristics.