DMACC sets spring enrollment record

With 24,580 students taking 206,698 credits, Des Moines Area Community College has set a consecutive spring semester enrollment record that started twelve years ago. It also represents more students attending classes this spring than any other spring semester in the College’s history.

The one-year increase of 3.73 percent over last year represents 884 more students. Over the past five years spring enrollment at DMACC is up nearly 40 percent.

“At a time when many colleges and universities are seeing a downturn in enrollment, DMACC continues to grow,” said Rob Denson, President and CEO of DMACC. “We continue to attract more students who want to improve their education and careers.”

Both online classes and Career Advantage, a program where high school students can earn college credit, represented much of the enrollment increase. “Career Advantage classes offer high school students an opportunity to earn college credit. These classes, being taught in the high schools and on our campuses, continue to grow in importance and popularity,” said Denson.

Last fall DMACC added new class sections, 20 new career and technical programs and continued to remodel buildings across the district. This year, new housing is planned for the Ankeny and Boone Campuses.

Denson said DMACC’s location is an advantage for students because of quality jobs in Central Iowa’s vibrant job market. 

As Iowa’s largest two-year college, DMACC offers more than 150 programs, certifications and transfer degrees, and annually serves more than 75,000 credit and noncredit students on six campuses and in three learning centers. Thanks to college-wide innovation, new programs and affordable tuition, DMACC has earned the rank of 15th fastest growing two-year public college in the United States. For more information, visit www.dmacc.edu.