St. Cloud State University and SCTCC are seeing an increase in enrollment due to statewide trends

(KNSI) – St. Cloud State University and St. Cloud Technical & Community College have joined the national trend with increasing enrollment this year.

SCSU saw a 1% increase in headcount and has just over 10,000 students. SCTCC Vice President of Student Affairs Andrew Pslipsen spoke to KNSI shortly after the numbers were released Friday and said there was a massive increase of 13.6%, or 478 students out of a total population of 4,004. “We’re really excited about it and really think there’s a lot to it. With our commitment to affordability through the North Star Promise, our community partnerships and much more going into this increase in enrollment. We are very grateful for that.”

The North Star Promise is a new program that offers free tuition to Minnesota students and families with adjusted gross incomes under $80,000. Preliminary data shows nearly 12,000 students will benefit from the program this fall semester.

Kate Wallace, SCTCC’s marketing and communications director, said the careers for which young people go to school have also changed. “I feel like the public perception of two-year degrees and these jobs and careers in the industry has changed a little bit.” She says there is a waiting list for many of her trade programs.

Across Minnesota, headcount increased 9.3% at Minnesota State Colleges, 4.5% at Minnesota State Universities and 7.7% systemwide. This follows an increase of 2.3% in 2023.

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