New numbers from the Illinois Community College Board show enrollment at the state’s community colleges is down 4.2 percent this fall compared to last year. The number of full time students at Danville Area Community College dropped by 3.8 percent – from 1,443 in the fall of 2018 to 1,388 this fall. But total fall enrollment at DACC is up. There are 2,644 total students enrolled in classes at Danville Area Community College this fall compared to 2,620 last year.
The Illinois Community College Board says the statewide drop in enrollment is consistent with national trends. The 271,426 students enrolled this fall in Illinois community colleges are down 4.2 percent from this time a year ago.
Despite declines in enrollment, the community college system continues to show improvements in student success. Over the last five years, the percentage of full-time, first-time enrolled students at a community college who graduate, transfer to another institution, or remain enrolled pursuing a degree has hit 63 percent. ‘’Community colleges are working extremely hard to make sure that every student who comes through the door makes it not only to the first day of class, but also to graduation and successful transfer to a four-year institution or entry into the workforce,’’ said Executive Director Dr. Brian Durham.
Fall enrollment information for credit-generating students is recorded by the colleges at the end of the regular fall enrollment period, which is typically the 10th day of class.
