Dual Enrollment Numbers Up Says Iowa Education Department

The number of students who took an Iowa community college course while in high school increased by around 6% in the past school year. The Department of Education’s Jen Rathje says that continues a recovery following the pandemic.

Rathje says pandemic dip was only recent downturn in the joint enrollment program in the last several years.

She says the program is popular because it gives students a jump on college and they are able to complete their degrees and enter the workforce quicker, while saving money.

The area has a similar program with the John K. Hanson Career Center where students can earn college credits through trade education programs. The program is growing in popularity and NIACC hopes it will continue.

Northeast Iowa Area Community College had the most jointly enrolled students.

Rathje says the increase in community college enrollment comes along with a decrease in full time college enrollment. Nearly 43% of students who also took community college classes were seniors with just more than 35% juniors. The full report is available on the Department of Education’s website.