Illinois community colleges see second largest fall-to-fall enrollment increase in 30 years

(WAND) - Enrollment at Illinois community colleges continues to climb for the second straight year according to the annual fall enrollment report.

The report was released Monday by the Illinois Community College Board. 

Overall, the Illinois Community College System’s opening Fall 2023 enrollments had an increase in both headcount (+5.7 percent) and Full-time Equivalent (FTE) (+5.2 percent) from the previous year.  The Fall 2022 to Fall 2023 increase of 5.7 percent is the second largest Fall-to-Fall enrollment growth in the last 30 years. Only the Fall 2008 to Fall 2009 increase of 7.4 percent during the Great Recession was higher.

“Illinois has the best community college system in the nation—and look no further than our fall enrollment numbers for proof,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “With a more than 5 percent increase in enrollment since last year, our community colleges are bouncing back better than ever—showing the rest of the nation what it looks like to support our higher education institutions and the students they serve. On behalf of the State of Illinois, congratulations to administrators, faculty, and students alike on this major milestone.”

The fiscal year 2024 budget includes a seven percent increase in operating funds or $19.4 million more for community colleges than the previous year—the highest increase in two decades.  It also includes a $100 million increase in the Monetary Award Program (MAP) that when combined with the federal Pell grant, provides working class families with an opportunity for a free community college education.

“Since the global pandemic, community colleges have effectively adapted to a changed environment, by offering more targeted programming, better instructional delivery options, and broader, more comprehensive student supports.  The increase in enrollment is a testament to the success of these efforts and embodies not only the value of our community college system as a whole but the commitment of our staff, faculty and students,” said ICCB executive director Brian Durham.

Statewide enrollment data shows 36 community colleges experienced an increase in headcount enrollment from Fall 2022 to Fall 2023, while just 12 community colleges had a decrease.

“Illinois community colleges continue to fuel the state’s need for a trained workforce that fills good paying jobs in so many industries. Community college students and graduates are the backbone that keeps Illinois’ economy growing year after year which is a testament to our system as a whole,” said David Sam, chair of the Illinois Council of Community College Presidents

SUMMARY OF OPENING FALL ENROLLMENT IN

ILLINOIS PUBLIC COMMUNITY COLLEGES FROM 2019-2023

Data Source: ICCB Fall 2022 Enrollment Survey and ICCB Centralized Data System–Fall Enrollment (E1) Student-Level Submission for Fall 2018-2021. 

“Seeing more and more students return to the classroom each year is an amazing sight after the challenges of the pandemic, but equally amazing are the online opportunities we have created for those students who need to be elsewhere but still want to better their future through a community college education,” said James Reed, Jr., executive director of the Illinois Community College Trustees Association.

The report shows more students continue to return to the classroom in 2023, but also confirms that online or e-learning is crucial for community colleges.

While the number of distance education students decreased in Fall 2023 as compared to the previous year, 42.3 percent of students enrolled in at least one online course in the current Fall as compared to Fall 2019 (pre-pandemic) at 24.3 percent. 

The 5.7 percent increase in overall Fall Enrollment throughout the Illinois Community College System is well above enrollment growth nationally which increased 4.4 percent from the previous year.

The full report is accessible online at https://www.iccb.org/data/?page_id=47.

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