For the past several years, enrollment at community colleges has grown at an astronomical rate, but that trend appears to be reversing somewhat. A recent report suggests that enrollment at community colleges is beginning to slow, but why? The conditions that led to the rapid increase in enrollment, the sluggish economy, and the high unemployment rate are still in effect. So what is the difference? As we explore this subject more deeply, the possible reasons for the enrollment slowdown may surprise you.
The Boom
According to a recent report announced on PR Newswire, the enrollment rate at community colleges has been on a steady incline for the past decade. Community colleges make up the largest post-secondary education sector, with nearly 44 percent of all undergraduates in this country. From 2008 to 2009, that increase hit a spike, with an 11 percent increase during that academic year alone. Between 2007 and 2009, the total increase in community college enrollment hit an all-time high of nearly 17 percent.
These percentages indicate that the total number of community college students on campuses across the country has increased by 1.4 million since 2007. It is no coincidence that this is the same year the recession officially began, and many adults lost their jobs. Today, the total number of credit-earning community college students is approximately 8.2 million. There are another five million non-credit students gracing campuses across the country.
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