Staff report
ASHLAND — Ashland Community and Technical College saw a 10.2 percent increase in enrollment this fall, according to figures released Wednesday by the Kentucky Community and Technical College System.
Official fall enrollment numbers show ACTC has 4,493 students, compared with 4,078 last fall.
Systemwide, the number of students attending KCTCS grew 11.6 percent, to 100,348. KCTCS called the increase significant compared to the 89,942 students in 2008.
“This substantial growth in enrollment shows more Kentuckians are receiving the education they deserve as KCTCS continues to not only transform Kentucky, but also transform the lives of Kentuckians by enabling them to seek high growth, high wage jobs,” said KCTCS President Michael B. McCall. “The increase in non-traditional students shows KCTCS continues to provide real opportunity to real people.”
Growth occurred in all age groups. Non-traditional students age 25 and older experienced the largest increase, with 14.3 percent more students in this age group attending KCTCS than in 2008. The average age of KCTCS students rose from 27 years in 2008, to 27.3 years in 2009.
Students ages 18-24 had an 11.3 percent increase in enrollment, while the number of students under the age of 18 grew 8.8 percent. Distance education courses were a strong area of growth as well, with a 25 percent increase in enrollment, from 31,292 in 2008 to 41,703 in 2009.
The KCTCS programs with the biggest increases in students are in the following areas: health professions; liberal arts and sciences; business, management and marketing; mechanics and repair technologies; and computer/information sciences/support services.
Each of the 16 KCTCS colleges is experiencing an increase in enrollment this year.
