Video: Enrollment Numbers Drop at Community Colleges

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MAYHEW, Miss. (WCBI)- Enrollment increased at the eight universities in the state this fall, however, that wasn’t the case at community colleges.

Enrollment fell at 10 of the 15 community colleges in the state.

“Mississippi Community College systems ranks number one nationally out of all of the community college systems in the United States,” EMCC Coordinator Michael Black said.

Even with the number one ranking, enrollment at the 15 community colleges in the state dropped for the fifth year in a row.

“In community colleges in Mississippi, enrollment generally is tied to the economic, what’s going on with the economy,” Black said.

Enrollment dropped two point five percent at two-year schools.

Students flocked to community colleges during the recession, when people were looking to find a well paying job with two years of education, but those numbers have since fallen.

EMCC Recruiting Coordinator Michael Black said the low numbers don’t accurately reflect what’s happening on the campuses.

“Over 70 thousand students in Mississippi are enrolled in community colleges, so what that tells us is that students, especially students straight out of high school, are seeing community colleges as a first step,” he said.
Though the enrollment numbers are down, EMCC has been defying the odds. This year alone they saw a two percent increase in their enrollment.

“The decline has been faster for some community colleges but ours has been more managed and now we’re coming out of the enrollment decline faster than most of the enrollment community colleges,” Black said.

EMCC is only one of 5 community colleges in the state that saw an increase.

Black says for EMCC has several advantages to keep students enrolling, including success in athletics and new facilities.

However, he knows how things could pan out if enrollment numbers continue to fall at the other community colleges in the state.

“If the trend continues downward, you know, I think tuition increases will be an unfortunate reality, but that’s something that we’re trying hard at all of the community colleges to keep from happening, is raising tuition,” he said.
Mississippi Delta Community College and Hinds Community College posted the largest percentage declines in the state with an 11 point two, and seven point five drop.