Enrollment soars at 2-year schools
Degree seekers try a different educational path in a difficult economy
Published: Wed, Sep. 17, 2008 12:30AM
Modified Wed, Sep. 17, 2008 05:36AM
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closePresident Stephen Scott said enrollment is up in two-year programs aimed at putting students directly into jobs such as information technology. But students who plan to earn a bachelor's degree are also doing the math.
"You can save enough in the first two years to pay for the second two years," said Scott, who is currently president of the state association of community college presidents.
Institutions cooperate
The transition to a university has never been smoother, as many colleges adopt cooperative agreements with universities. Wake Tech, for instance, recently struck deals that will allow graduates automatic entrance into bachelor's programs at Campbell and N.C. State universities.
Collin Keeton, 17, won't be applying to four-year colleges when he graduates this spring. The student at Middle College High School at JCC will earn much of his two-year degree while he's still in high school. Then, through a recent partnership between JCC and N.C. State University, he plans to transfer into the NCSU engineering program.
He'll skip the SAT -- and the intense competition of fellow high schoolers seeking limited spots at state schools.
There's a hitch to the strategy of starting out at a community college, then transferring to a four-year school -- transfer students graduate at lower rates than students who go directly to four-year universities. In 2001, 91 percent of rising juniors who entered the UNC system as freshmen graduated within five years; 76 percent of community college transfer students did.
Reichard, of Johnston Community College, sees long-term promise for a struggling economy if his school produces more skilled workers. The college has added dozens of programs for local employers, including a biotechnology center near Clayton created with the help of pharmaceutical companies.
"The question is are we growing enough for this economy?" Reichard said of community colleges. "Enrollment needs to be up 10 percent every year, everywhere."
marti.maguire@newsobserver.com or (919) 829-4841
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