College of DuPage Bucks State Five-Year Enrollment Trends
A report issued Wednesday, Nov. 6, by the Illinois Community College Board shows College of DuPage significantly bucked statewide five-year enrollment trends. The report showed that from 2009 to 2013, just three out of 39 community college districts increased in Full-Time Equivalent student enrollment. COD was, by a wide margin, the leader with 529 additional FTE students or a 3.3 percent increase.
During the same five-year period, the state average was a loss of 495 FTE students. The entire state community college system lost a total of 19,299 FTE students, a drop of 8.6 percent.
As reported earlier, College of DuPage this fall recorded its highest year-to-year enrollment since converting from quarters to semesters in 2005. FTE enrollment climbed an astonishing 7.6 percent for fall to 16,565 FTE students. The College's net 10th day credit headcount (full- and part-time students) soared to 28,627, up 9.4 percent over last fall.
“This ICCB report further demonstrates the incredible success that is College of DuPage,” said COD President Dr. Robert L. Breuder. “Through the many initiatives we have taken, we are realizing our VISION of becoming the primary college district residents choose for high quality education.”
College of DuPage is nearing completion of $550 million in construction and renovation to provide peerless teaching and learning facilities. The College has created 3+1 programs with five partnering universities that allow students to earn one of 13 bachelor's degrees from 21 COD programs for under $34,000. Beyond the 3+1, the College offers other excellent transfer programs, such as the Pathways program that allows participating engineering students to transfer directly to the University of Illinois engineering program. The College has also conducted a complete, year-long overhaul of its counseling network and customer services for enhanced service excellence.
The College has added more than 50 certificates and degrees over the past four years that respond directly to needs of industry and the local workforce.