Butler, Beaver, and Allegheny Counties report boom in community college enrollment

The demand for diplomas and the pressures to upgrade job skills in a tough market are fueling boom times for community colleges in western Pennsylvania.

Beaver, Butler, and Allegheny County Community Colleges all report significant increase in their preliminary totals for spring semester enrollment, and Butler County will expand a Mercer County satellite.

Community College of Beaver County says that enrollment for credit sources is up 7.6 percent from last year, while noncredit courses have shown a 15 percent jump. At Allegheny County Community College, David Hoovler says the credit enrollment head count is up “about ten percent” over last January’s figures. The overall credit enrollment at the college’s four regional campuses and six “college centers” is just over 20,000. Another 34,000 take noncredit courses.

Butler County Community College maintains campuses in Butler Township and Cranberry Township, as well as campuses in adjoining Mercer and Lawrence County. Spokesperson Susan Changnon says BCCC expanded in 2003 to serve the adjoining counties. The Mercer location at LindenPointe in Hermitage now enrolls 300 students in a building designed for 200. As a result, the college announced a $3 million expansion to add classroom space by next January. The work will triple the available classroom space to 20,000 square feet. The Lawrence Crossing location in Lawrence County is also near capacity, with 650 students, she says.

Sources: David Hoovler, CCAC; Susan Changon, BCCC
Writer: Chris O’Toole