Enrollment up again

On Wednesday, Sept. 26, during the sixth week of classes, institutional data showed the headcount at CSC was up nearly 2 percent. A total of 2,981 students were enrolled, 57 more than the same time in 2011. The college’s full-time equivalency also was up 1.36 percent to 2,229.

“We’re really excited to see another semester of positive enrollment growth,” said Dr. Randy Rhine, CSC interim president. “I think it’s entirely possible that our end-of-term headcount will be above 3,000, and that’s a number we haven’t reached in many years.”

The enrollment was up across the board, with the largest percentage increase in the institution’s graduate programs. There are 629 students enrolled in master’s degree courses this fall compared to 596 last year. The numbers represent a 5.54 percent increase in headcount and a 10.51 percent increase in full-time equivalency.

The undergraduate numbers are up just over 1 percent to 2,352 from a year ago. Rhine said the undergraduate number reflects growth in on-campus enrollment, as most of those students are attending classes in person rather than online or other distance delivery methods.

The college expects to see a boost in enrollment when the fall semester’s second set of eight-week courses, which are still accepting enrollment, begin Oct. 22. With those additional students, the enrollment may top 3,000 for the first time since fall 1995. A rising enrollmenttrend has been occurring at CSC since 2006.

Rhine said the campus residency rate also remain healthy, although the number of contracts is down slightly from the banner year of 2011-2012.