Western Nebraska Community College has seen a four percent increase in its total enrollment for the Fall 2024 semester, and a six percent increase in retention from students attending in Fall 2023 semester.
The Fall 2024 census report was presented at the October Board of Governors meeting. The total enrollment of WNCC this fall is 1,569 students, an increase of 4.05 percent from the Fall 2023 semester.
“We are incredibly proud of the work being done across multiple departments,” WNCC President Greg Dart said. “The landscape continues to change in higher education and we will have to continue to adapt with it, but this data shows that we are moving in the right direction and is a testament to our entire college working toward student success.”
The number of returning students also increased from the previous fall, with a spring-to-fall retention rate of 56.8 percent.
“Retention has been a large focal point of ours for some time now, so it is rewarding to see our efforts are resulting in more students returning for their second academic year,” Dart said.
The report also shows that 25.6 percent of students identified as Hispanic. High School dual-credit students represent 39.13 percent of WNCC’s total enrollment, with a total number of 614, an increase from 508 for the Fall 2023 semester. All high schools within WNCC’s service area participate in WNCC’s CollegeNOW! program.
The WNCC student body has students representing all 13 counties of the service area, 24 other states, and international students from 31 countries.
