The Fastest Growing Community Colleges

Community Colleges with Under 2,500 Students

• The fastest growing community college with less than 2,500 students in 2009 was Fort Berthold Community College of North Dakota, which had a 99 percent increase from the 162 students enrolled in Fall 2008 to 323 counted in Fall 2009. The tribally chartered college, founded in 1973, offers areas of study including agriculture, business and computer information systems. Other fast-growing community colleges with this range of enrollment are the College of Eastern Utah, J.F. Drake State Technical College in Alabama and Tohono O'Odham Community College of Arizona.

Community Colleges with 2,500 to 4,999 Students

• The Valdosta Technical College of Georgia was the fastest growing community college in this category, with student enrollment jumping from 2,471 in Fall 2008 to 3,578 in Fall 2009 -- a 45 percent increase. The college offers about 85 programs for degrees and certificates held during the day, evening and weekends. Some of the other fastest growing community colleges in this enrollment division are Indiana's Ivy Tech Community College--Columbus, Atlanta Technical College of Georgia, and North Georgia Technical College.

Community Colleges with 5,000 to 9,999 Students

• Indiana's Ivy Tech Community College--Northwest was the fastest-growing community college with an enrollment between 5,000 and 9,999 students from 2008 and 2009. It grew 41 percent, jumping from 5,752 to 8,117 students. This community college is one of the 23 Ivy Tech colleges located throughout Indiana. Other fast-growing community colleges in this category are California's El Camino College--Compton Center, Texas State Technical College Waco and Ivy Tech Community College--Kokomo.

Community Colleges with 10,000 or More Students

• The Stark State College of Technology in Ohio was the fastest growing community college in this category, with student enrollment growing 33 percent from 9,252 in Fall 2008 to 12,261 in Fall 2009. The college features more than 230 options for associate degrees and certificates. Colorado's Community College of Denver, Indiana's Ivy Tech Community College--Northeast and Ohio's Cuyahoga Community College District are other fast-growing community colleges in this enrollment range.