Community Colleges and the Economy

The 2011 Community Colleges and the Economy Survey reveals continuing enrollment gains coupled with continuing budget reductions.  More than two-thirds (69 percent) of the 448 campus presidents and district chancellors participating in the 2011 survey report increased headcount enrollment in winter 2011 compared to over 90 percent in winter 2010; concurrently, three-fifths of the presidents participating in the survey report a reduction in the overall operating budget at their institution; two-fifths (41 percent) report that the budget cut was 5 percent or more.

Enrollments continue to explode as institutional budgets continue to erode according to a new national survey of community college presidents and district chancellors conducted by the League for Innovation in the Community Colleges and The Campus Computing Project.

Enrollments are up, budgets are down as community colleges respond to the economic downturn