Residents in the Philadelphia region and beyond may be surprised to hear college enrollment hit a 10-year high nationwide in 2025. According to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, headcounts across undergraduate and graduate programs reached 19.4 million, the most since 2015.
This enrollment growth is happening at a time when tuition and fees are increasing at private and public universities, student loan debt is climbing, and recent graduates are facing challenges in today’s job market. However, recent enrollees are finding ways to earn a degree or credential without these downsides by attending community colleges. According to the data, 2025 enrollment growth was fueled by students enrolling at community colleges. As more individuals make the decision to pursue higher education, community colleges remain an exceptional option that must be considered by students of all ages and backgrounds.
Known for their high-quality programs, significant cost savings, flexible scheduling, dual enrollment, and seamless transfer options, community colleges are a driving force in higher education. Students can save tens of thousands of dollars starting their education at a community college instead of a four-year college or university. Through articulation agreements, community colleges offer valuable transfer opportunities to partner institutions, often affording students tuition discounts, scholarships, and matriculation as junior students.
In addition to their economic advantages, community colleges also offer compelling, career-focused, educational opportunities that provide students with clear pathways to high-paying jobs upon graduation. They are uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between the education system and the workforce, offering specialized, short-term training programs and credentials that lead to good-paying jobs, apprenticeships and certifications that employers value. These institutions offer programs that prepare individuals for high-demand occupations and careers, including those in fields such as healthcare, education, information technology, manufacturing and skilled trades.
Despite challenges facing today’s students, community colleges prove that earning a higher-education degree transforms generations, advances opportunity, and remains a wise choice for learners of all backgrounds nationwide.
At Montgomery County Community College (MCCC), we remain committed to preserving this affordability, while keeping higher education economical and accessible for all learners we serve. To underscore this commitment, the Board of Trustees recently approved that tuition rates and fees for in-county residents will remain level for the 2026-2027 academic year.
Through dual-enrollment programs, high school students can accelerate college completion by earning college credits while simultaneously completing their high school diploma at a substantially waived rate. At MCCC, 20.69 percent (2,868) of our students in the 2024-2025 academic year were dual-enrolled. These students receive the identical holistic support services as traditionally enrolled students, and some have even earned their associate degrees before graduating from high school, saving money and time.
Additionally, community colleges intentionally address and work to remove barriers that have made higher education inaccessible.
For many students, especially those from low-income backgrounds, community colleges are the only feasible option for continuing their education, offering not just a gateway to higher learning but also the flexibility to attend classes in person or virtually while working, caring for family, or living in communities where a traditional university may not be accessible, along with wraparound services that support students’ academic and personal journeys.
Despite challenges facing today’s students, community colleges prove that earning a higher-education degree transforms generations, advances opportunity, and remains a wise choice for learners of all backgrounds nationwide. The quality, accessibility, and affordability of community colleges deliver social mobility, economic prosperity, and a best-in-class pathway for students continuing their education into high-paying careers.
As a result, community colleges continue driving enrollment across higher education institutions, fueling workforce growth and opportunity in a trend showing no signs of slowing. Students of all ages and backgrounds are encouraged to consider community colleges when pursuing their higher education. MCCC and the other stellar local community colleges in the greater Philadelphia area remain committed to keeping high-quality education flexible, accessible, and affordable for all students. As evidenced by the millions of students nationwide choosing to attend community colleges every year, these institutions have earned their place as a top choice for students pursuing their degree.
Victoria L. Bastecki-Perez, Ed.D. is the President, Montgomery County Community College.
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