Illinois community college enrollment is on the rise again

NORMAL, Ill.  Enrollment at Illinois community colleges continues to rise for a third straight year according to the Fall 2024 Illinois Community College opening enrollment report released by the Illinois Community College board.

The Illinois Community College System’s opening Fall 2024 enrollment report recorded an increase of 7.4%, outpacing last year’s fall increase of 5.7%. Executive Director of the Illinois Community College Board Brain Durham breaks down his reason on why enrollment is climbing and how Illinois Community Colleges are adapting to the influx of students. 

“ One of the reasons enrollment is climbing is because of Dual Credit,” Durham said. “Dual Credit is college instruction provided at the  high school that allows students to get college credit and high credit at the same time’. 

Durham added that since we are getting farther and farther away from the  pandemic  many students are coming back to campus to get more face to face instruction. He spoke on how colleges are adapting to the influx of students  

“Colleges of course want more enrollment,” Durham said.  “If it’s needed colleges would open up additional  courses and sections, colleges also are providing lots of wrap-around support services to students such as assistance, meeting with an advisor etc. to help students out.”

Durham is optimistic about how the influx of community college student will impact universities.

“ I think it’s great for universities because when  you have additional community college students you build a stronger pipeline to the university system”.  Durham said 

The full report of the fall 2024 Illinois Community college opening enrollment can be found on their website.