Data: Students choosing Ohio community colleges over traditional colleges and universities

Both Ohio high school graduates and high school students choose local community colleges instead of traditional colleges and universities in the state.

The Ohio Department of Higher Education said in its preliminary data that Cincinnati State Technical and Community College saw a 10% increase in student enrolment, 10,701 students. Dayton’s Sinclair Community College is seeing 7% more students, bringing the total to 20,471.

Data shared with Signal Ohio also indicated that Columbus State Community College saw an 8% year-over-year increase, bringing its total enrollment to 30,488 students.

Cuyahoga Community College, Lorain County Community College and Stark State College also experienced year-over-year rises, though very modest, especially in comparison to the previously listed community colleges.

According to Signal Ohio, most of Ohio’s community college students attend one of these six institutions, even though the state has 22 two-year public colleges.

The recent news reflected the national trend. According to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, two-year public colleges across the country are reporting a 4% increase in students this fall compared to the same time last year, a figure reportedly larger than the growth seen both at public and private four-year universities.

The center claimed this happens because more students are enrolled in certificate programs, which have long been offered at community colleges. Another explanation for the recent increase in enrollment is that more students are willing to pursue health, automotive technology and engineering degrees.

Signal Ohio also claimed that community colleges saw an uptick in students because of dual enrollment, an opportunity for high school students to take college-level classes while still in high school, which would allow them to graduate from college earlier than their peers.

Dual enrollment became an even more desirable option for middle and high school students in Ohio after College Credit Plus was implemented, a state program that allows students to take college classes without spending much or any money.

Ohio’s traditional colleges and universities have been in the spotlight recently, including for suspending pro-abortion doctors and firing professors for their research. They have been ranked relatively low in terms of freedom of speech and have cut their degree programs following the passage of Senate Bill 1.