FREEPORT — Highland Community College has added upon double-digit-percentage enrollment gains over the past two years, with growth in full-time students boosting Cougars’ credit hours.
September’s official tenth-day data showed an increase of 2.7% in credit hours, translating to more than a hundred more class registrations over the same period in fall 2023. Student headcount dropped less than a percent, or fewer than ten students, attributed to fewer part-time enrollments. However, credit hours continued to multiply from more full-time students enrolling over last year.
“For the fifth straight semester, class enrollments are on the upswing as more high school students, recent graduates and especially younger working adults choose to become Cougars,” said Highland President Chris Kuberski. “This fall’s numbers are even more remarkable when one considers we are building on last year’s healthy leaps of nearly 16% and 10% in headcount and registered credit hours.”
In fall 2023, Highland experienced some of the greatest enrollment gains among community colleges across the state, reporting 15.6% more students and 9.4% greater credit hours reported over fall 2022.
Some of this year’s significant growth was among the 20-and-younger and 21-30 age categories, the former creeping up a percentage point and closer to pre-pandemic levels and the latter rising 6%. The institution is becoming more diverse, with an 8% increase in minority ethnic groups enrolled this fall compared to last fall and a 30% increase in these populations compared to five years ago. Highland’s ethnic minority population now makes up 23% of its current student body, compared to 16% in 2019.
Both trade and transfer-oriented programs across much of the college grew the number of students in their courses. This fall’s biggest movers include:
● Equine Science: 300%
● Theatre: 112%
● Natural Sciences: 84%
● Drafting/Computer Assisted Design (CAD): 67%
● Automotive Mechanics: 52%
● Welding: 43%
● History: 33%
● Agricultural Occupations and Agriculture: 26% and 22%
Growth in these programs was attributed to a variety of factors, including promotional campaigns and recruitment activities, instructor capacity and prerequisite requirements, as well as high school students throughout Highland’s district taking part in dual credit, dual enrollment and College Now programs.
As more high school students are accounted for with ongoing registrations this fall, Highland’s leaders expect a steadily upward trend in headcount in addition to the current positive growth in credit hours. As of the tenth day, high school student enrollments at Highland had already jumped 5% over last fall.
