This is consistent with the author's statement that "half of them admitting they plan to go back at a later date". Just because you're not currently in college doesn't mean they've not decided returning is in their best interest.

I just assumed the author of the article was reporting facts. there's no way to no either way, so I'm not sure there's much value in speculating.

There is value in speculating, because I've been proven correct. The author has retracted her previous statement. If you look at the article again, you'll notice that the article has been changed to remove the specific assertion that more than half are thinking about going back to college:

It now says:

>And yet, here these kids are dropping out... at least for two years, with a good lot of them admitting they plan to go back at a later date..