South Louisiana Community College is among the fastest growing colleges that award associate degrees in the country. That’s according to the latest edition of the Chronicle of Higher Education’s Almanac.
The Chronicle – the premier publication dedicated to college and university news across the nation – publishes this ranking plus others each year in its Almanac. This year’s rankings considered enrollments from 2006 to 2016.
SLCC is ranked 10 out of 20 fastest growing colleges, with SLCC’s for-credit enrollment growing from 2,424 students in 2006 and to 6,396 students in 2016. That’s a 163.9 percent increase.
When students in the college’s non-credit – short-term training – programs are factored in, SLCC serves 15,000 students annually.
“With nine campuses in our region, SLCC is able to bring college programs to area hometowns. Our students are able to study close to where they live and work,” said Dr. Natalie Harder, SLCC Chancellor. “I believe the enrollment increase reflected in this ranking is indicative of area residents taking advantage of our offerings and following their dreams of earning a college degree.”
Earlier this year, SLCC acquired the Young Memorial Campus in Morgan City along with Marine and Corporate Training Center in Houma. The college also saw a 20 percent increase in enrollment this summer. This includes a 150 percent growth in online courses.
In addition, the college has a number of articulation agreements with universities across the state that allow SLCC students to smoothly transfer to a bachelor’s degree program after earning their associate’s degree.
“We’re seeing an increasing number of students eager to get ahead. This includes both those that want to continue their college journey to a four-year degree and those that want short-term training that gets them quickly into the workforce,” said Harder. “We also have a commitment to our communities to offer programs that lead to high-wage, high-demand careers that can sustain our students’ families and fill our region’s workforce needs.”
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ABOUT ACADIANA’S COMMUNITY COLLEGE
South Louisiana Community College is a comprehensive community college that operates campuses in Abbeville, Crowley, Franklin, Lafayette, Morgan City, New Iberia, Opelousas, St. Martinville, and Ville Platte. The college serves more than 15,000 students annually and offers an array of academic programs. Students earn associate degrees, technical diplomas, certificates, and industry-based certifications. It is ranked 14th among the Top 100 Associate Degree Producers as determined by Community College Week.