Enrollment up at Mississippi Junior Colleges, More Funding Sought
JACKSON, Miss.
Enrollment in Mississippi’s two-year colleges has grown more than twice as fast as in the universities in recent years, according to figures provided by higher education officials.
The trend, if it continues, means community colleges might soon top the universities in enrollment for the first time. It might have happened already if not for a probable dip in enrollment this year because of Hurricane Katrina. Final numbers for 2005-06 are not yet available.
Each system has just shy of 70,000 students enrolled.
In 2001, the U.S. Department of Education reported that 86 percent of community college students surveyed said they planned on going to a four-year school after obtaining an associate degree.
Wayne Stonecypher, executive director of the State Board for Community and Junior Colleges, said the low cost, easy access and smaller classes are the main reasons for community colleges‘ growth.
