Enrollment down 7% this fall at NWACC

NorthWest Arkansas Community College (NWACC) in Bentonville reported an unofficial preliminary count of 7,081 college-credit students enrolled on the 11th day of classes for the 2021 fall semester, falling 7% against the same period in the fall semester last year. College officials also reported that 354 more students enrolled in classes at the college’s location in Washington County (Springdale) in comparison to last fall.

According to an NWACC news release, the 11th-day enrollment taken on Sept. 7 only reflects students taking college credit courses. The college also serves approximately 4,000 additional learners through workforce development, adult education and other career-credit programs.

“This slight downturn in our enrollment is indicative of the ongoing challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Nonetheless, it is important to celebrate the fact that students are coming back to campus and continuing their education. We are most pleased by the numbers of students attending classes at our new NWACC-Washington County location. Our student headcount has doubled there since last fall,” Vice President of Student Services Dr. Todd Kitchen said in the release.

The total enrollment figure and other numbers cited for the 2021 fall semester are preliminary, unofficial numbers. The total enrollment figure typically may include some numbers that 11th-day enrollment numbers provided to the Arkansas Department of Higher Education do not, such as students who may be auditing a class or enrolled in “late start” classes that begin after the traditional 16-week term kicks off.