Community College Enrollment Is Growing Rapidly

Nationally, enrollment at community colleges is up 11.4% over the last year, and 16.9% over two years, according to an American Association of Community Colleges survey. Notably, over the last two years, the percentage gain in full-time students has been more than twice the rate as for part-time students. Typically, about 60% of community college students are enrolled part time. By region, the Rocky Mountains saw the largest increases and was the only region where part-time enrollments outpaced full-time enrollments. (Inside Higher Ed, 12/18/09)

Community college enrollment will continue to expand its total percentage of enrollment in future years and surpass the 4 year sector. Almost all new growth in is in the less than 4 year sector.