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Spring 2020 enrollment up 5% at Bismarck State College | Bismarck State College

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Spring 2020 enrollment up 5% at Bismarck State College

Published: Feb 12 2020
students in student union
Bismarck State College saw a significant 5% enrollment increase for Spring 2020 semester over Spring 2019.  Numbers are up across several key areas including full time and part time students.
 
  • Full time students increased by 1%
  • Part time students went up by 8%
  • Total credit hours increased by 3%
  • Freshmen students increased by 10%
    • This is a marked increase in retention from fall semester to spring semester and the highest increase seen in recent history
  • First-time enrolling freshmen went up 45%
  • New transfer students (those planning to transfer on to a 4-year college or university) increased by 31%
  • Non-traditional student numbers increased:
    • 35-49-year-old students up 12%
    • 50-64-year-old students up 32%
  • Enrollments by state also increased:
    • North Dakota increased by 4.5%
    • Minnesota increased by 5%
    • Montana increased by 7%
  • The largest program growth areas:
 
“We attribute these numbers to the tireless efforts of our faculty and staff, and to students’ increasing understanding of the affordability and lifetime economic opportunities that come with attending BSC whether to transfer on or earn a technical degree,” says Karen Erickson, BSC Dean of Enrollment Management.  
 
A recent report from the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW) notes that nationally, the number of associate degrees and certificates awarded annually are similar to the number of bachelor degrees awarded – around two million. The report also notes that that students with associate degrees and credentials in a specialized field often attain better-paying jobs and careers than students earning bachelor’s degrees.
 
“We design our programs to ensure students can easily transfer on and meet workforce needs, which means students bring value to their employers from day one. Our numbers show that students understand that value,” says BSC President Larry C. Skogen. 
 
BSC anticipates continued growth as the college’s programmatic offerings expand to meet the emergent needs of area business and industry. The college also is expanding its mission as directed by the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education. BSC has a task force determining how to expand to a polytechnic model and offer more four-year Bachelor of Applied Science degrees while continuing to offer a wide range of two-year transfer and technical degrees and options.
 
With 3,546 students, Bismarck State College is the third largest in the North Dakota University System.