Enrollment Surges at NJ's Community Colleges

TRENTON, N.J.— Statewide full-time student enrollment at New Jersey's 19 community colleges increased by a record 12 percent from fall 2008 to fall 2009 to a new all-time high, according to figures released today by the New Jersey Council of County Colleges.

Total full-time credit enrollment at New Jersey's community colleges grew from 86,186 in fall 2008 to 96,838 this year.

Part-time credit enrollment increased 2 percent from fall 2008 to fall 2009, with 78,049 students enrolled part-time last year and 79,679 students enrolled this year.

"Students are turning to community colleges to provide them with a high-quality education at an affordable price during this tough economic climate," said Dr. Lawrence A. Nespoli, NJCCC president.

In total, 176,517 students are taking college-credit courses at New Jersey's community colleges this fall - the largest credit enrollment ever at community colleges.

"These are preliminary numbers," Nespoli said about the record enrollment growth. "We're sure our fall enrollments will be even greater, since many community colleges offer five- and seven-week late start sessions that students can register for until late October.

"Our community colleges are seeing a greater number of traditional students, age 18 to 22, enrolling in courses," Nespoli added. "Many recent high school graduates are making community colleges their college of first choice."

Along with credit enrollments, New Jersey's community colleges enroll over 125,000 students in noncredit courses in professional and personal skills development each year. Community colleges also work with over 500 businesses each year to provide customized training programs to nearly 50,000 members of New Jersey's workforce.

In addition to increased student enrollments, the number of credit hours students take is up 12 percent, from 1,646,558 in fall 2008 to 1,813,897 in fall 2009. A typical college class is three credit hours.

The New Jersey Council of County Colleges is the state association representing New Jersey's 19 community colleges. As an independent, trustee-headed organization that joins the leadership of trustees and presidents, the Council is the voice of the community college sector before the state legislature and other branches of government. The Council is also the state coordinating organization for all community colleges in New Jersey.

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