Some Quad-Cities colleges see increases, some see decreases in 2024 fall enrollment
Quad-Cities colleges and universities are now well into the fall 2024 semester, with most showing increases in enrollment compared to last fall, though two are down.
Most higher education institutions report annual fall headcounts on the 10th day of their fall semester. These numbers reflect each institution's total enrollment, including undergraduate, graduate and part-time students.
To address the nation's looming higher education enrollment (or, "demographic") cliff , area colleges and universities have adopted various new, sometimes novel strategies to attract and incentivize new students over the past two school years.
In higher education, the "demographic cliff" refers to an expected drop in high-school-aged students entering college in coming years, due to waning birthrates during the Great Recession. Beginning in 2025, the number of 18-year-olds is projected to decrease by 15%.
In the Quad-Cities, Augustana and Eastern Iowa Community Colleges saw modest increases, while Black Hawk College saw a more than 15% increase in its headcount. St. Ambrose University's enrollment fell by about 7.5%, while Western Illinois University fell by more than 10%.
Augustana College
Total fall 2024 headcount:
During the 2022-23 academic year, the college launched " Augustana Possible " — a financial aid program meeting 100% of demonstrated financial needs for qualifying, newly-enrolled students. A total of 156 students received Augustana Possible grants this fall, with awards averaging $7,551 per-student.
"Since (launching) two years ago, it has made Augustana accessible to 339 high-achieving students from families with high financial need," spokeswoman Nicole Lauer said of the program.
Black Hawk College
Total fall headcount:
Quad-Cities campus enrollment totals 3,201, with the east campus in Galva totaling 800.
As previously reported , while Black Hawk leaders monitor nationwide demographic cliffs and view it as an important issue, non-traditional students are a key long-term focus for the college.
Typically, these are adults with no prior college experience or who are hoping to finish a degree after years in the workforce, whereas the demographic cliff refers to the more narrow population of high school students.
Black Hawk celebrated 55 years of its adult education program last month.
"Around 1,000 adult education learners enroll at Black Hawk each year to learn English as a Second Language, study for their GED or work toward completing their high school diploma," Black Hawk spokeswoman Holly Smith told the Quad-City Times via email Tuesday.
Next month, Black Hawk will also launch a new "Express Enrollment" series to help current and prospective students "fast track" the college application process and spring registration. Attendees will be able to complete their college application for free, register for spring 2025 classes, complete their FAFSA with help and find information about placement testing, if needed.
Eastern Iowa Community Colleges
Total fall headcount:
Of EICC's total enrollment, Scott Community College houses 4,471 students, with Clinton and Muscatine community colleges enrolling 1,480 and 1,475 students, respectively.
Johnna Kerres, EICC spokeswoman, noted considerable increases in former students reenrolling — up 17.9% — and new students, up 14.3%.
"Additionally, the number of students receiving Pell Grants has increased by 14%, which we attribute to the positive impact of the recent FAFSA formula changes," she told the Quad-City Times earlier this month.
The Department of Education overhauled its Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) program with a new, simpler version last December. But a bungled rollout and subsequent data processing delays caused worry for hopeful borrowers nationwide, as FAFSA is a big factor in many students' college decision.
While the transition presented challenges, Kerres said it appears to have expanded access to financial aid and has benefitted more students from EICC's lens.
Federal Pell Grants usually are awarded only to undergraduate students who display exceptional financial need and have not earned a bachelor's, graduate, or professional degree. Unlike a loan, Pell Grants do not have to be repaid except under certain circumstances.
St. Ambrose University
Fall headcount:
While enrollment is down from last year, SAU expects to benefit from upcoming enrollment initiatives and strategic partnerships — such as its merger with Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids.
The two Eastern Iowa schools signed a formal agreement to combine institutions — a transition expected to span through mid-2026 — this past August, with SAU slated to take over as the nonprofit parent organization. The Mount Mercy campus will remain in Cedar Rapids and retain both its name and "Mustangs" mascot.
Details of the agreement are still being sorted out, including waiting on approval from the Higher Learning Commission, which accredits both institutions.
Mount Mercy and SAU's partnership follows years of declining enrollment at both campuses, along with a $3 million deficit for Mount Mercy in 2023, according to public tax documents. The two schools also partnered last May to offer a range of courses to students across both campuses — either hybrid, in-person or online formats — with the goal of widening student access to higher education learning.
SAU also became the first higher education institution in Iowa to participate in the Federal Common App's Direct Admissions program this school year.
The program aims to make it easier for first-generation and low-income students to pursue a degree by offering qualified students admission before they even apply. Participating colleges set eligibility criteria, and the Common App identifies students who qualify using their Common App responses.
"Joining the Direct Admissions program aligns perfectly with our mission of welcoming students from all backgrounds and faiths, and empowering them to achieve success that matters to them. We are committed to helping each student become who they are meant to be," SAU President Amy Novak said in a news release at the time.
Students who qualify for SAU's direct admission through the program are immediately notified via communications sent from Common App and encouraged to complete the application process.
According to the release, the Common App has had the greatest impact on Black or African American, Latino and First-generation students.
Western Illinois University
Total fall headcount:
WIU's main campus in Macomb totaled 5,511 students, with its Quad-Cities campus at 821.
Despite the decline, WIU's overall fall-to-fall retention of first-year students improved, reflecting a 12% increase in Latino student retention and a 3% increase in Black student retention.
As previously reported, WIU is undergoing several institutional changes to quell challenges linked to its waning enrollment and budget deficit — namely, cutting 89 faculty/staff positions and reducing on-campus programming at WIU-QC.
Enrollment has dropped by 18% university-wide over the past five years, with WIU-QC seeing a decline of around 34%.
Starting in the 2025-26 school year, WIU-QC programs will focus on regional workforce development needs. The campus also plans to explore additional professional development and credentialing opportunities.
"Programming will continue to focus on education, mental health and innovation while engaging in meaningful partnerships with industry and educational partners," WIU-QC spokeswoman Lexi Dittmar said via email on Aug. 13. "... The university will continue to serve our current students, while also repositioning to offer high demand programs and engage in innovative partnerships."
While it's still unclear which specific WIU-QC programs will remain on-campus, the university has already begun leveraging some industry partnerships.
In August, WIU announced the launch of the Quad Cities Manufacturing Institute (QCMI) in partnership with the University of Illinois System and Iowa State University.
While the QCMI will focus on research and development, it also provides manufacturing training and workforce development opportunities in collaboration with local and national industry partners like the Rock Island Arsenal's Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center.
WIU also launched its new "Finish Line Program" this past summer, which supports students who have completed at least 90 credit hours at WIU — but have not finished their degrees — obtain a bachelor's in general studies. The program saw a 38% increase in new student enrollment this fall.
Photos: Augustana College holds Trash Dash to kick off 2024 homecomingVarious campus organizations, including Sigma Alpha Iota, collected trash around the Augustana College campus Sept. 29, 2024, for the Trash Dash that starts homecoming week.
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