A study shows fewer students are enrolling in community colleges across the state when compared to last year. Data from the Illinois Community College Board shows combined enrollment down 13.7 percent from one year ago. 234,132 students are currently enrolled at a community college in the state.

At Kankakee Community College --- students enrolled for the Fall of 2020 declined 13.1 Percent.  The number of credit hours students are taking declined by 8.1 Percent.  KCC Marketing Director Kari Nugent said KCC campuses remain open and ready to help students keep learning safely. KCC has flexed its class lengths to include 16, 14 and 8-week classes.  Students can also choose to attend class online, in-person, hybrid and you can also go online with interactive components.

The opening enrollment at Danville Area Community College this semester was 2,462, down almost seven percent from a year ago. Parkland College at Champaign shows enrollment down almost 12 percent to 5,758.

Statewide data indicates that enrollment by students over age 30 decreased at twice the rate compared to students younger than 30.

There is some good news in the numbers in terms of college graduations. Approximately 66,000 students earned a degree from an Illinois community college in May.

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