USA Today reports:
Preliminary reports from community colleges across the nation, which had overall enrollment of 11.5 million last year, show summer enrollments increased, a trend predicted to extend into the fall, according to Norma Kent, a spokeswoman for the American Association of Community Colleges.
Kent said the trend is in line with other economic downturns. Community colleges see increased demand for their workforce-training programs from people who have been laid off or are in search of additional skills.
The story points out:
Nationwide, the average annual cost of attending community college is $2,361, compared with $6,185 in tuition and fees for an in-state public school. Average annual room and board at a public four-year school is $7,404, according to the most recent figures from the College Board, which tracks average tuition costs.
USA Today has devoted a lot of work to the story of community colleges. Look at this collection of stories and resources for you to get local:
• A global challenge: Advocates say community colleges are crucial to ensuring the nation's workforce can compete in a global economy. Are they up to the challenge?
• Bottom line: Funding traditionally has favored the best and the brightest, but the status quo is being challenged.
• How to measure success: Graduation-rate data paint an unfair and inaccurate picture of community college results, advocates say.
• Financial challenge: Community colleges pride themselves on being the best bargains in education, yet affordability remains a barrier for many. Tuition isn't the main culprit.
• 50-state chart: Examining state-by-state public college funding by institution type.
• Faces of community colleges: Students and graduates share their experiences in their own words.
