St. Cloud State University and SCTCC Experience Enrollment Surge Amid Statewide Trends

(KNSI) – St. Cloud State University and St. Cloud Technical & Community College have joined the statewide trend with increased enrollment this year.

SCSU saw a 1% increase in its headcount, with a student population of just over 10,000. SCTCC Vice President of Student Affairs Andrew Pslipsen spoke with KNSI just after the numbers were released on Friday and said they had a massive jump of 13.6% or 478 students for a total population of 4,004. “We’re very excited about that, and we really think that there’s a lot that goes into that. With our commitment to affordability in the North Star promise, our community partnerships, and so much that goes into that enrollment increase. We’re very thankful for it.”

The North Star Promise is a new program that provides free college tuition for Minnesota students and families with an Adjusted Gross Income below $80,000. Preliminary data shows that nearly 12,000 students are benefiting from the program for this fall term.

SCTCC Marketing and Communications Director Kate Wallace explained that the career fields young people go to school for have also changed. “I feel like the public perception of two-year degrees and those trades and industry careers has shifted a little bit.” She says there is a waiting list for many of their trade programs.

Across Minnesota, the headcount increased by 9.3 % at Minnesota State colleges, 4.5% at Minnesota State universities and 7.7% for the system as a whole. This follows an increase of 2.3% in 2023.

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