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²ÝÝ®ÊÓÆµAPP Enrollment Rises 6%, Outpacing State and National Growth

As community college enrollment rebounds nationwide, ²ÝÝ®ÊÓÆµAPP is growing at a faster pace than both state and national averages.

The College reported a 6 percent increase in fall 2025 headcount enrollment, nearly double the national community college growth rate of 3 percent and well above Maryland¡¯s overall postsecondary enrollment increase of 3.4 percent, according to the National Student Clearinghouse .

Nationally, overall postsecondary enrollment increased 1 percent this fall, with undergraduate enrollment rising 1.2 percent and graduate enrollment declining slightly. Community colleges recorded the strongest gains of any higher education sector, while public four-year institutions experienced more modest growth and private four-year colleges saw declines.

²ÝÝ®ÊÓÆµAPP¡¯s enrollment growth places it well above both state and national benchmarks.

¡°Choosing a community college is a strategic and forward-looking decision,¡± said Montgomery College President Jermaine F. Williams. ¡°At ²ÝÝ®ÊÓÆµAPP, students gain access to high-quality education, personalized support, and clear pathways to transfer and careers, all within an affordable and flexible learning environment.¡±

Community colleges gain momentum nationwide

National reporting points to a shift in student decision-making, with more learners prioritizing affordability, flexibility, and workforce alignment. Community colleges have long led in providing these options, offering clear transfer pathways, workforce-aligned programs, and short-term credentials that deliver lower cost and faster entry into the labor market.

¡°These trends reflect changing expectations about higher education,¡± Williams said. ¡°Students are seeking institutions that meet them where they are and provide real value aligned with their goals and circumstances.¡±

Maryland and regional context

Across Maryland, postsecondary enrollment increased 3.4 percent in fall 2025, with undergraduate enrollment rising 3.9 percent. Neighboring Virginia reported similar growth, while Washington, D.C., experienced a larger increase in undergraduate enrollment.

²ÝÝ®ÊÓÆµAPP¡¯s enrollment gains exceeded both state and regional averages, reinforcing its role as a primary access point to higher education and workforce training in Maryland.

Who is enrolling at ²ÝÝ®ÊÓÆµAPP

Several of ²ÝÝ®ÊÓÆµAPP¡¯s enrollment trends mirror national patterns, while others exceed them.

Nationally, students age 17 and younger represented one of the fastest-growing populations at public two-year institutions, reflecting continued expansion of dual enrollment and early college programs. At ²ÝÝ®ÊÓÆµAPP, dual enrollment grew from 2,352 students in fall 2024 to 2,546 in fall 2025, an 8 percent increase.

Growth was particularly strong among adult learners. Enrollment among students age 25 and older increased by 6 percent, far exceeding the 0.7 percent national growth rate for this population. This increase reflects strong demand from working adults seeking reskilling, upskilling, and career advancement through flexible scheduling and workforce-aligned programs.

²ÝÝ®ÊÓÆµAPP also reported growth among first-time college students. The College¡¯s freshman class¡ªdefined as students enrolling in college for the first time¡ªincreased by 1 percent, exceeding the national growth rate of 0.5 percent for first-time community college students.

The College continues to attract a diverse student body, including international students. This fall, students from more than 145 countries were enrolled at ²ÝÝ®ÊÓÆµAPP, and international students represented more than 10 percent of the College¡¯s credit-seeking population.

¡°²ÝÝ®ÊÓÆµAPP has long served as a gateway to opportunity for students from throughout our region and around the world,¡± Williams said. ¡°Welcoming students of many backgrounds and lived experiences strengthens our learning environment, enriches our community, and prepares students to succeed in an increasingly interconnected world.¡±

Linking enrollment growth to strategy

College leaders attribute the enrollment increase to both national trends and Montgomery College¡¯s sustained, student-centered strategies to expand access and engagement. In recent years, the College has strengthened workforce-aligned programs, expanded early college opportunities, improved advising and onboarding, and increased outreach to adult learners.

²ÝÝ®ÊÓÆµAPP also recently completed a comprehensive brand refresh designed to clarify its purpose, modernize its visual identity, and more clearly communicate the value of a ²ÝÝ®ÊÓÆµAPP education. Leaders note that the updated brand helps prospective students more easily understand their options and see themselves at the College¡ªsupporting recruitment, enrollment, and long-term engagement.

Flexible scheduling, short-term credentials, and stackable pathways have also contributed to enrollment growth among students seeking new skills or career advancement.

More detailed enrollment data are available on ²ÝÝ®ÊÓÆµAPP¡¯s student enrollment webpage new window.