Eastern Gateway Ranks No. 10 in Growth among Two-Year Colleges
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — A recent study found Eastern Gateway Community College, which has campuses in Youngstown and Steubenville, was among 10 community colleges and career schools nationally with the highest enrollment increases in fall 2020.
In its findings published this month, OnlineU – a research company and thought leader in higher education – reported fall enrollment at EGCC was 40,036, a 56.1% increase over its fall 2019 enrollment of 25,648. That’s a gain of 14,388 students.
EGCC was one of three public community colleges in the top 10 and had the second most absolute change in enrollment.
The study by OnlineU looked at 1,184 degree-granting institutions that primarily graduate students below the baccalaureate level, according to the report, including community colleges, career schools and vocational training. The study was limited to institutions that had at least 500 undergraduate students enrolled in fall 2019. Data was reported by the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System and the U.S. Department of Education.
EGCC and the other colleges bucked national trends of enrollment declines at two-year colleges. Annual fall enrollment data from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center showed enrollment dropped nearly 15% at public two-year colleges since 2019.
Other data in the OnlineU report show:
- For-profit career schools grew during COVID – nearly 60% saw enrollment increases while student numbers plunged at public community colleges
- Nearly 75% of schools with the highest growth were for-profit
- Health and medical colleges were heavily represented among schools with most growth
For more highlights from the study, click HERE.
Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
