An improving economy may be affecting enrollment numbers of Kansas community colleges.
The Board of Regents released enrollment numbers for its six universities, plus Kansas community colleges and technical schools Friday — and the results are mixed.
Overall enrollment at the state’s 19 community colleges is down 2.9 percent.
That’s probably due to an improving economy and people no longer scrambling to improve their education to land a job.
Johnson County Community College enrollment went down 1.7 percent. But Kansas City Kansas Community College saw a drop of 9.2 percent.
Enrollment at the state’s universities is down 890 students, just about one percent.
In total, the 2015 fall semester enrollment total is 182,101 students as of census day at each institution, a
preliminary headcount of students enrolled on the 20th day of class.
Here's what the six universities reported for the fall semester:
- Emporia State down 20 students a decrease of .33 percent
- Fort Hays State up 385 students an increase of 2.78 percent
- Kansas State down 620 students a decrease of 2.5 percent
- Pittsburg State down 235 a decrease of 3.14 percent
- University of Kansas up 96 students an increase of .39 percent
- University of Kansas Medical Center up 12 students an increase of .36 percent
- Wichita State down 508 students a decrease of 3.39 percent
All six universities had an increase in enrollment last fall and over the past few years enrollment has remained fairly steady.
Kansas technical schools reported a healthy increase of 433 students, up 6.33 percent.
Sam Zeff is KCUR's education reporter.
