City Colleges of Chicago Exceeds the State Community College Average for Spring 2024 Enrollment Growth for Second Year in a Row

CHICAGO—(March 18, 2024) City Colleges of Chicago (CCC) Spring 2024 enrollment is up 9.2 percent from spring 2023 to spring 2024, exceeding the Illinois community college average of +5.1% according to a report released by the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB).

“This increase reflects our continued efforts to support students as they navigate college, removing barriers to access and success, and to attract students with academic pathways leading to in-demand careers and four-year university transfer,” said Chancellor Juan Salgado, City Colleges of Chicago.

Enrollment in a combination of credit and adult education programs has increased at six of City Colleges of Chicago: Harold Washington College (-0.8), Harry S Truman (+7.6%), Kennedy-King (+33.9%), Malcolm X (+8.0%), Olive-Harvey (+20.7%), Richard J. Daley (+21.4%), and Wilbur Wright (+1.0%) for a total increase of 3,319 students for Spring 2024 with Kennedy-King College having the largest percentage increase. This is the fourth consecutive increase and comes after a fall uptick of 6.9 percent.

Black male credit enrollment increased 11.1% spring over spring, and Latinx male credit enrollment increased 8.2%, while Black female credit enrollment increased 6.5% and Latinx female credit enrollment increased 5%.

This increase in enrollment comes after City Colleges has increased targeted efforts to enhance and expand college supports, resources and educational pathways. City Colleges continues to meet the needs of the Chicago economy with quality, in-demand programs in transportation, distribution and logistics, cannabis studies, manufacturing, IT, early childhood education, engineering, healthcare, business, free English as a Second Language and high school equivalency, and much more.

City Colleges of Chicago’s efforts to remove barriers include:

• Future Ready, which helps eligible Chicagoans earn short-term credentials and prepare for in-demand careers at no cost.
• The Star Scholarship program, which has ensured that thousands of Chicago high school graduates with at least a B average can attend college without debt.
• The Chicago Roadmap, an unprecedented partnership between Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and City Colleges of Chicago launched in 2020, which creates a seamless transition for CPS students to post-secondary options.
• Workforce Equity Initiative and many scholarships, waivers, and grants that are also available to students to reduce the barrier of cost.

“We continue to improve the enrollment process to provide students with an exceptional City Colleges experience,” said Vice-Chancellor of Enrollment Dr. Darryl A. Williams, City Colleges of Chicago. “And we continue to focus on educating the public on what we have to offer from—from in-demand, high-growth career pathways to a range of supports for learners looking to return to the classroom.”

To view the full ICCB report, click here.

Registration for summer, fall and spring classes will open on April 3, 2024, visit www.ccc.edu to learn more or call 773-COLLEGE.

###

City Colleges of Chicago’s vision is to be recognized as the city’s most accessible higher education engine of socioeconomic mobility and racial equity – empowering all Chicagoans to take part in building a stronger and more just city. Learn more about City Colleges of Chicago at www.ccc.edu, and to learn more about City Colleges of Chicago 2021-2025 Strategic Plan Framework, visit www.ccc.edu/strategicplan or click here.