KEY FIGURES FOR FALL 2014

• Total number of students (including students taking non-credited classes): 30, 074
• Number of students taking credited classes: 29,476
• Number of full-time students: 16,857
• Average amount of credit hours: 8.58 credits

College of DuPage’s reported growth in credited headcount and full-time equivalent headcount (FTE) for fall 2014, an annual increase of three percent and 1.8 percent respectively.

The college reported a headcount of 29,476 students, with 16,857 students enrolled in at least 15 credit hours. Last term, college officials set a goal to reach COD’s FTE record of 17,677 students.

To Student Affairs President Earl Dowling, a three percent increase in total headcount for a large institution indicates considerable growth.

“When you’re talking about enrollment growth at the second largest post-secondary education institution in the state, you’re talking about a lot more students and parents saying ‘this is the place to go,’” Dowling said.

The college’s strategic plan calls for an annual enrollment growth accomplished through recruitment and retention efforts. The college has targeted recent high school graduates and young adults, marketing an education that can be pursued alongside employment.

Targeted marketing and physical improvements to the school have positively affected enrollment numbers.

“I think students and parents gravitate towards a place that looks nice,” Dowling said. “Overall, it has been a school-wide effort [to boost enrollment].”