HANCEVILLE – Among the state of Alabama’s top five largest community colleges based on enrollment, Wallace State Community College, with locations in Hanceville and Oneonta, is the only one with consistent growth over a three-year period.
Top Rank Alabama 2017, published by Business Alabama, ranked Alabama’s two-year colleges based on enrollment for Fall 2015. Wallace State Community College ranked third on the list with a 2015 enrollment of 5,420. Calhoun Community College, Jefferson State Community College, Gadsden State Community College and Shelton State Community College completed the top five, but only Wallace State-Hanceville showed a consistent increase in enrollment from Fall 2013 to Fall 2015.
While the majority of the state’s community colleges experienced decreases in enrollment from 2013 through 2015 (some by 10 percent or more), Wallace State was among only a handful of colleges that increased enrollment each year. From 2013 to 2015, the college’s enrollment increased by almost 3 percent.
While 3 percent may not seem to be a significant amount, the growth is substantial considering the nationwide trend of declining enrollment at community colleges. In an October 2016 report by Inside Higher Ed, enrollment at community colleges fell by 6.6 percent in the same time frame of Fall 2012 to Fall 2015, with the highest drop in Fall 2014 by 4.4 percent. A survey of admissions directors by Inside Higher Ed found that 88 percent of community college experienced a decrease enrollment compared to two years ago. Community college enrollments often go down as the economy improves and unemployment rates go down.
Wallace State also reported a fall-to-fall enrollment increase in 2016.
“I attribute Wallace State’s growth to programming that addresses job market demand and ensures transferability of credit to the baccalaureate degree, as well as our reputation for excellence and an untiring commitment to student success,” said Dr. Vicki Karolewics, president of Wallace State.
Wallace State Community College offers day, evening, weekend, hybrid, and online classes through its campuses at Hanceville, Oneonta, and off-site locations at Brewer High School, Hayden High School and J.B. Pennington High School. Academic, Health Science, and Applied Technologies programs offer a wide variety of certificate, degree and transfer opportunities. Dual enrollment options are available for area high school students wishing to simultaneously earn high school and college credit as a way to advance their education. Fast Track programs are available for high school students to earn up to two years of college coursework – and possibly an associate’s degree – before high school graduation.
For more information about Wallace State visit www.wallacestate.edu or call 256-352-8000 or toll free at 866-350-9722.
