NIC growth continues

COEUR d'ALENE - The surge of students enrolling in classes for credit at North Idaho College has abated, but just a bit.

NIC reported Thursday that there are 12 percent more students enrolled at the school than there were at this time last year.

This fall's increase of 688 more students is not as dramatic as last fall's 16.5 percent surge of 803 students, but it's still significantly higher than the 4- to 5-percent growth average the college recognized in years prior to the recession.

"We're kind of surprised that it's still that high," said John Martin, NIC spokesman.

It's likely still a reflection of the economic times, Martin said.

All state schools are required to file a 10th day report to the Idaho State Board of Education. Enrollment figures are based on the numbers during the 10th day of enrollment, which was last Friday.

The total credit enrollment at NIC for the fall semester is 6,347 students, up from the fall 2009 tally of 5,659.

For the 2008 fall semester, NIC reported a 4.4 percent increase.

"This fall's enrollment increase underscores NIC's ability to meet the education and training needs of the region. Since the fall of 2007 our enrollment has increased by 36.5 percent and we have not turned away any applicant due to this unprecedented growth," said NIC President Priscilla Bell.

The number of students enrolled in professional-technical programs at NIC rose by 15.4 percent this fall. There are now 780 professional-technical students compared to 676 in 2009.

NIC's full-time equivalency figure is up 12.1 percent from 3,955 students in the fall of 2009 to 4,435 students this year. An increase in full-time equivalency typically means students are taking heavier class loads.

The number of full-time students increased 13.8 percent over this time last year, from 3,090 students in fall 2009 to 3,517 students in fall 2010. The number of part-time students increased 10.2 percent over last year, from 2,569 students in fall 2009 to 2,830 students in fall 2010.

The most popular major continued to be general studies, which increased from 1,969 students last fall to 2,237 students this fall. Business administration/management continued to be the second most popular major with 409 students enrolled in fall 2010 compared to 374 students in fall 2009.