JERSEY CITY, NJ. October 31, 2024 (Hudson Latin Chamber) — At a time when college enrollment numbers are facing significant pressures nationwide, Hudson County Community College (HCCC) is pioneering innovative solutions and turning the tide to meet students where they are, leading to increased year-over-year enrollment and a continuing upward trend in enrollment since the pandemic.
Enrollment is up in all categories. Fall 2024 full-time equivalent (FTE) student enrollment at HCCC is up 7.4% from Fall 2023, including a significant 11.9% increase in new students and a 4.8% increase in continuing student enrollment.
The increased enrollment is exceedingly good news for the College and all of Hudson County. According to HCCC President Dr. Christopher Reber, “A college education is the gateway to the American Dream. By providing affordable, high-quality educational opportunities that offer a clear path to exciting careers and family-sustaining wages, we are keeping that dream alive for Hudson County residents.”
HCCC defies the long-term nationwide trends of declining enrollment by meeting students where they are and employing best practices to help every student succeed. For example, the College is offering a large and growing number of online courses and fully online programs that give busy students more flexibility than ever before, allowing them to pursue a degree around family, work, and other responsibilities. The College now offers over 180 online and hybrid courses, and 21 fully online programs, an increase of 18 fully online programs over the last six years.
HCCC’s Early College program gives Hudson County high school students a head start on their college careers by allowing them to take classes at HCCC at reduced tuition while still in high school. Over 700 Hudson County high school students are enrolled in HCCC courses and the number is increasing.
These two innovative areas are helping drive HCCC’s growing enrollment. Early college enrollment is up 37.0% year-over-year, while online enrollment is up 23% by the same measure. On-ground student enrollment is also up, now comprising nearly 60% of all course enrollments. The College’s focus on using data and best practices to support student retention and degree completion is also a significant factor in the College’s growing enrollment. The College has won multiple national awards for its innovative Hudson Scholars program, and has celebrated a record number of graduating students during each of the past three years.
Fields of study like Nursing, Health Sciences and Business are booming. Enrollment in Nursing and Health Sciences programs are up 22.4% from last year, and Business experienced a 12.1% boost in enrollment. The College has also increased its efforts in supporting various student populations including, but not limited to, adult learners, returning HCCC students, and student parents.
HCCC now serves more than 10,000 students annually in credit programs, and an additional 10,000 students in noncredit, industry recognized programs leading to a wide range of credentials and aligned with a credit academic pathway.
According to President Reber, “Our enrollment growth is a testament to the strength of the College’s programs, the dedication of our faculty and staff, and partnerships with the County of Hudson and myriad community leaders and organizations. Together, we are ensuring that students and Hudson County residents have the tools they need to succeed and contribute meaningfully to our rapidly changing local and global community.”
