Enrollment increased 1.5% from last year, new student enrollment increased 3.5%, international enrollment increased 22%, and enrollment of students of color increased 13.5%
Fall semester is now underway at Lake Superior College and for the second year in a row, the school is reporting an increase in overall enrollment, as well as impressive increases in new degree-seeking student enrollment, international students, and students of color.
Total headcount of degree seeking students is currently 4,092, a 1.5% increase from the 4,030 enrolled at this time in 2017. That number does not include students enrolled in Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) courses, students enrolled in College in the Schools (CIS) courses, non-degree seeking students and/or students enrolled in courses through LSC’s Workforce Development/Continuing Education and Customized Training (CECT). Through all of those program offerings, Lake Superior College served 10,263 students last year and is expected to meet or exceed that number this upcoming year. While it is difficult to project annual enrollment this early in the academic year, initial numbers and trends indicate that total number of students served at Lake Superior College throughout the academic year could increase to about 10,400.
Part of the increase in overall enrollment is due to a larger incoming class of new degree seeking students. As of today, there are 1,095 new degree seeking students enrolled this fall, a 3.5% increase from 1,058 last fall.
An increase in international students and students of color also factor into the overall increase in enrollment. Lake Superior College is proud to have 50 international students enrolled, a 21.95% increase from the 41 enrolled last fall. These international student represent the following (birth) countries: Australia, Belgium, Bermuda, Brazil, Cameroon, China, Colombia, Honduras, Jamaica, Kenya, Liberia, Montenegro, Nigeria, Philippines, Republic of Korea, South Africa, Spain, and the United Kingdom (Great Britain).
The overall number of self-identified students of color (non-white) has also increased 13.54%, from 672 last fall to 763 this fall.
“More and more students are choosing to attend Lake Superior College because they know they will receive a quality education at a more affordable price,” said Daniel Fanning, Director of Institutional Advancement. “LSC was just ranked among the very best community colleges in the nation, which further demonstrates the quality of our academic programs and the positive experience students have here thanks to our outstanding faculty and staff, as well as the community partnerships we have throughout the region.”
Enrollment numbers are provided by the Lake Superior College Office of Accreditation, Research, and Assessment. Enrollment could fluctuate throughout the semester, as students finalize their schedules and drop/add periods close. Students have five days from the start of a class to add courses. CECT activity, along with PSEO and CIS enrollment, will also likely contribute to enrollment gains throughout the academic year. Official fall semester enrollment numbers will be announced after the 30th day of the term.
