Fewer students are enrolling in community colleges across the state than they did last year.
Data from the Illinois Community College Board shows combined enrollment down 13.7 percent from one year ago. 234,132 students are currently enrolled at a community college in the state.
Both of the local community colleges near Danville are showing declines in enrollment. The opening enrollment at Danville Area Community College this semester was 2,462, which is down almost seven percent from a year ago. Parkland College enrollment, meanwhile, is down almost 12 percent to 5,758.
Statewide data indicates that enrollment by students over age 30 decreased at twice the rate compared to students younger than 30.
There is some good news in the numbers in terms of college graduations. Approximately 66,000 students earned a degree from an Illinois community college in May.
