Cardinal rule: Enrollment continues to increase at Gadsden State

GADSDEN — Flying high like its cardinal mascot, Gadsden State Community College’s enrollment continues to set records and beat the national average.

School officials announced the number of students has increased 8.14% for the fall semester over last year.

This follows a 7.62% increase in overall enrollment for the 2023-24 academic year compared to 2022-23, officials said. According to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, Gadsden State’s enrollment growth is well above the national average of 2.5% for 2023-24.

“We are extremely proud of the growth we’ve experienced at Gadsden State,” said Andy Green, dean of Student Services. “These numbers are testament to the hard work of our faculty and staff, who are dedicated to creating a welcoming and supportive environment for our students. We’ve worked hard to make higher education more accessible and appealing.

“It’s exciting to see that effort reflected in our enrollment growth.”

Green said the increased enrollment also reflects the college’s continued commitment to providing affordable, flexible and relevant educational opportunities for students.

“As the cost of post-secondary education continues to rise nationally, more students are choosing Gadsden State as a cost-effective option,” he said. “Gadsden State’s flexible scheduling options, online education, scholarship opportunities and unique career technical, academic and healthcare programs are all factors in our enrollment increase.”

Gadsden State’s Dual Enrollment Program also saw a 39.43% increase with 1,478 high school students enrolling in college courses for the current semester.

“Dual enrollment allows high school students to earn both high school and college credit simultaneously,” Green said. “This gives them a head start on their education, and it saves them time and money in the long run.

“These students gain valuable experience in a college setting while exploring potential career paths in their educational journey.”

For more information, visit www.gadsdenstate.edu and  www.gadsdenstate.edu/dualenrollment.