Fewer students are enrolling at College of DuPage with a full load of classes, but total enrollment at the campus this spring has increased compared to last year.
According to data from the school, the total number of students at the Glen Ellyn-based community college is 27,186 for the spring 2012 semester, slightly higher than the spring 2011 enrollment of 27,037, but down from spring 2010 enrollment of 27,982.
Meanwhile, the number of students with a full-time schedule, taking 15 credit hours or about five classes, has dropped since 2009, when 16,036 fell into this category. In fall of 2011, about 15,175 students were considered full-time.
Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management Earl Dowling said some students may be taking fewer classes so they can hold down a job as they attend school.
“I think persons are making economic decisions about how many classes they’re going to enroll (in),” Dowling said. “I think it’s just a general angst about the economy.”
Still, Dowling said the college has been able to “hold our own” when it comes to keeping enrollment figures afloat because of proactive recruitment efforts, like attempting to attract students at shopping malls and community centers.
“We’re going to where the market is,” he said.
Dowling said the campus has also seen an uptick in the number of students recently graduated from high school who are coming to COD to complete core courses close to home in exchange for tuition that may be less expensive than a traditional four-year school.
“Families are saying before I spend five figures to study general education, I’m going to save my money – pay cash perhaps, not borrow – and get credits that will transfer to that four-year (school),” Dowling said.
In addition to community recruitment efforts, since 2009 the college has added 30 new certificate programs, 10 degree programs, and has undertaken numerous capital projects, adding and enhancing to campus buildings, according to college documents.
Keeping COD attractive to students and families is a priority, Dowling said.
“The days when persons in the admissions and the enrollment areas … could be passive about enrolling students” are over, Dowling said.
