Miles Community College has announced its spring semester enrollment numbers and with that, another year of overall enrollment growth. While overall spring semester 2020 enrollment numbers remained relatively stable compared to the spring 2019 term, MCC will see its annualized numbers increase for the sixth consecutive year.
The total spring 2020 headcount is up slightly with a 1.8% increase, or 13 students, over last spring’s census, for a total of 725 students. Spring full time equivalent (FTE) enrollment at census date is 455.56, just 0.1% lower than the spring 2019 census number of 455.86. Nearly 87% of students are Montana residents, with the headcount including 650 Montana students, of which 208 are Custer County residents. This year, a record 271 Montana high school students are enrolled for some kind of early start or dual enrollment course at MCC.
MCC also saw stability in its first-time, full-time retention rate - the measure of students who returned for their second semester at MCC. The number remained steady at 84.67%, compared to 84.68% last year. Total retention dipped slightly from 83.11% last year to 80.83% this year.
Though annualized enrollment (full year enrollment – summer, fall, and spring) numbers for the 2019-2020 year won’t be finalized until the spring term wraps up on May 2, MCC already knows that it will see an increase in its total enrollment, thanks to impressive summer and fall numbers and spring’s steady performance. Total annualized enrollment is projected to be over 476 FTE, a 4.3% increase from the 2018-2019 academic year. Montana resident FTE is projected at 396 FTE, a 3% increase from the previous year.
Miles Community College is one of just a few institutions in the state to realize sustained enrollment increases over the last several years. Dean of Enrollment Management and Educational Support Services, Erin Niedge, acknowledged the overall campus efforts contributing to the growth. “We’ve made a point of investing resources, of both personnel time and financial support, into areas that we believe are key initiatives for helping us not only increase our enrollment but ensure we’re meeting our mission and serving our region appropriately. We’ve invested in advising, student engagement and support, and academic program development with strategic four-year college and workforce partners. Most importantly, our faculty and staff truly care about student success.” MCC continues to utilize strategic enrollment management planning to identify opportunities and project areas of growth for the future.
MCC still has some time to further increase spring and annualized enrollment numbers, however, as its spring semester ‘mini-session’ begins March 16, with offerings for CNA and CDL training available. For more information about enrolling at MCC, please contact the MCC Admissions Office at 406.874.6101.
