How has COVID-19 hit enrollment at vocational and community colleges?
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Enrollment for freshman at the University of Colorado - Boulder is down much lower than expected for the fall semester. This year alone, 1,247 students have deferred enrollment. That's a 264% increase in deferrals compared to last year.
However, while CU-Boulder notes a significant decrease in enrollment, some local vocational schools in Colorado Springs tell KRDO they've seen a jump.
Apex College of Veterinary Technology in Colorado Springs reports record enrollment since opening its doors to students in 2015. Ria Botzler, Chief Financial Officer of Apex, says their enrollment has doubled or tripled this fall.
Botzler adds, "Our enrollment is considerably higher than it normally is." Boltzer believes one of the contributing factors is the ability of students to defer student loans when enrolling in school. She clarifies, "If they're having difficulty repaying their student loans, by enrolling in school, they defer that. I think that's one reason people turn to school."
According to Botzler, veterinarians, in general, have seen a tremendous growth amid COVID-19, adding, "I think it's because people have turned to animals for companionship, for help with anxiety, to get through these difficult times."
Continuing the trend of increasing enrollment for vocational schools, Intellitec College says their enrollment has also increased.
Intellitec College, a technical career training school with locations in Colorado Springs, Pueblo, Albuquerque and Grand Junction, says that enrollment in their Colorado locations have jumped to close to 100% year-over-year.
Peggy Rayburn, Campus Director at IntelliTec College in Pueblo says, "It’s very incredible, something that actually we were surprised to see as well." She adds, "They’re [students] able to get in, get their certification and get back into the work force as quickly as possible."
Pikes Peak Community College says they're faring better than expected. School officials were concerned at the start of the pandemic.
When fall registration started in March, enrollment was down by 38%. Pikes Peak Community College reports that now they're only down 9% compared to last year. "Which a year ago, 9% would’ve been freaking us out. And now it’s a blessing and we’re so happy," Epstein remarks.
Warren Epstein, Executive Director and Marketing and Communications with Pikes Peak Community Colleges says, "When we started fall enrollment back in March actually, we saw a disaster coming. It was 38% down. COVID came and it’s like every potential student pressed the pause button."
Epstein adds that Pikes Peak Community College embarked on its first-ever system-wide marketing effort across its 13 schools on the value of community college education while encouraging enrollment among local students.
